by Lorraine Donegan of the Graphic Communications Department, the 2004-2005 recipient of the Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award

Getting the advice you need to graduate on time is simple if you take a few easy steps.

First and foremost, find out who your advisor is. Most students have a college advising center and faculty advisor. Then find out where your advisor's office is located and when s/he holds office hours. Faculty advisors post their contact information and office hours outside their office doors. If you cannot meet during office hours, contact your advisor to ask about setting up another time.

Don't be intimidated! Your advisor's responsibility is to advise students. However it is your responsibility to come prepared to discuss your plan. Ask your advisor what you should bring in order to spend your time wisely.

I ask my advisees to keep an Advising Folder to organize important academic documents. Make one of these folders and bring it with you when you visit your advisor. Include the following items:

1. Current Class Schedule: The schedule contains useful information such as Assigned Priority Schedule, General Education courses, and much more.
2. Curriculum Sheet for your catalog year: Highlight the classes you have already taken. If you are not sure, wait till you meet with your advisor.
3. Tentative Course Offerings: Not all departments have these, please ask.
4. Flowchart of coursework: Each department may have their own. If you are not sure, please ask.
5. Scheduling Worksheet: Not all departments have these, please ask. Be sure to save the worksheets from past advisor visits so you can compare progress toward graduation.

Keep the Advising Folder in a safe place and continue to add to it.

Finally, see your advisor at least once per quarter and plan at least 3-4 quarters ahead. Things change from year to year, but the better your records are, the easier it will be to find your way. If you visit an advisor regularly, you will be less stressed and more in control of your goals and plans!