By Jill Wheeler

A student’s first semester in college at any institution involves a great deal of change. No matter how prepared and individual believes they are (or how underprepared they feel) before setting foot on the University of Arkansas’s campus, they have no way to plan for everything they could possibly face. This is where academic advising comes into the picture and why it’s not just something for first year students.

As someone who has chosen academic advising as a career (yep you heard that correctly, this is an actual career with research and conferences!!) I see the benefits of meeting with your advisor at the very least once a semester. Beyond telling you what classes to take, advisors have a huge wealth of knowledge about the university and about your major. Today I want to give you my top three reasons you should schedule an appointment with your academic advisor every semester, not just your first.

1. Advising is SELF CARE

Academic advising as self-care? You better believe it is! Think about it this way as stated in Tim Elmore’s book Generation Z Unfiltered, “The further you can see into the future, the better decisions you’ll make today.” For many of my first-year students, one advising appointment can make all the difference in the world, turning a student who is feeling overwhelmed and anxious into a student who is confident in their path. Like I mention at orientation, there are hundreds of ways to complete your undergraduate degree but having a “map” to guide you can only help you feel more comfortable so you can fully enjoy the trip.

2. Cha-Cha-Cha-Changes!

A university is like any other business…and the one thing you can count on is that things are always changing! As a student, you cannot possibly know when each new class shows up in the catalog of studies. Let me use this moment to plug the Catalog of Studies because as sweet as a check sheet is, the catalog of studies is YOUR contract with the University, and other than maybe your iTunes agreements, don’t we all read the contracts we enter into?!?

Remember not all changes are bad! Recently, the Catalog was updated so that College Honors Students get to take three colloquia from TWO different areas rather than the previous three—a huge relief for the second semester seniors who couldn’t get into the one natural science colloquium offered this semester. Some additions to the college honors core will also show up in the 2020 catalog like PHIL 2103 and 2203 being added in the humanities list as well as some more science options for my non-science majors! These updates and changes can never “hurt” you but they can often help give you more options, so meeting with the folks that read the Catalog for a living can in turn only help!

3. Advisors Let You Know that You Belong

I recently reached out to students to take an informal survey about imposter syndrome, and I was overwhelmed by the results. So many of the high-achieving students I see in my office every day expressed the feeling that they did not deserve their success, or that they did not belong in honors or even the University of Arkansas. Advisors can remind you that you have what it takes to do hard things and that you are right where you belong.

I will say it again, YOU BELONG! Not only that, academic advisors ENJOY meeting with you, getting to know you, and walking along beside you throughout your undergraduate career. J Last night I received a message from a former student and Peer Mentor for FCHP just telling me that they appreciate me. They shared that they were thankful our paths crossed and for being their cheerleader every step of their undergraduate career. Advisors can be your person, maybe even the one adult that knows you best on campus. Take advantage of that!

Class lists are out for the spring and enrollment times have been set! You will be registering for classes for summer and fall before you know it. So now is the time! Make an appointment with your academic advisor and talk about your future. Come prepared with classes you are considering and questions that keep you up at night. We are here and waiting for you!

Not sure who your academic advisor is? Easy, just look at your UAConnect under the “Manage Classes” tile or on UASuccess on blackboard under your “Network” link. See you soon!

-Jill

P.S.–Check out the photos below of some of the students Jill has advised throughout the years!