[ Student Responsibilities ] [ Being Prepared ] [ First Year Advisor / Faculty Advisor]
You and your advisor are partners. As partners, the two of you will work together to make choices, but the primary responsibility for advising rests with you. As partners, there are certain expectations that your advisor will have of you, just as there are certain expectations that you should have of your advisor. Your advisor will not make decisions for you but will instead offer advice. Some of your responsibilities, as a student, are:
- Get to know your advisor early in the first semester.
- Make appointments with your advisor when it is time to register for courses, check your progress toward graduation and/or when you have questions about University policies. Don't rely on another student's interpretation. Remember to make your appointment early, especially when planning for registration.
- Read communications from your advisor and respond, when necessary. Follow through on the advice given.
- Prepare, in advance, for academic advising appointments.
- Keep scheduled appointments or cancel, if you find it is necessary for you to miss a scheduled appointment.
- Maintain a file of advising materials, so that you can track your progress.
- Know program requirements and stay informed about any changes in the requirements.
- Stay informed about academic policies and procedures and know where you can locate the information.
- Ask questions when you do not understand something; follow up on advice that has been given.
- Seek help before a situation becomes a crisis.
- Be knowledgeable about university, school/division, and departmental program requirements; academic regulations; and calendar deadlines specified in the Bulletin, Schedule of Classes, and departmental publications.
- Take the initiative to seek advice in making academic decisions. Consult with your advisor whenever appropriate and in a timely manner.
- Be prepared for all scheduled advising sessions.
- Make academic decisions based upon the information obtained or recommendations offered. Academic advisors will not make decisions for students.
- Act upon academic decisions in a timely manner.
- Maintain personal records of academic progress, including documentation of approved exceptions to stated program requirements.
- Seek additional or supplemental advice from other university personnel or services as needed or recommended.
- Present and candidly discuss factors (such as employment, commuting distance, and other circumstances) that might influence selection of classes, registration processes, and other academic planning.
- Keep your advisor informed about changes in your academic progress, course selection, and academic goals.
- Be familiar with the General Education Core Requirements and the requirements of majors in which you have an interest; schedule courses each semester in accordance with the General Education Core Requirements.
- Follow TU procedures for registration, and observe academic deadlines.
- Understand the information provided to you by TU, including your unofficial degree review and grade reports; know what to do in case you believe any of the information is incorrect.
- Keep TU Enrollment Services informed of your current local address and telephone number.
- Take the initiative to ask questions at anytime if the policies and procedures are unclear -- don't assume your advisor knows what it is you don't understand.
Tips for using online advising and online resources:
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To protect your privacy, never include your social security number in email.
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Develop an educational plan and create a tentative schedule each semester.
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Seek career information if trying to decide on a major.
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Have a copy of the latest course selections and catalog available for reference.
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Plan wisely - do not wait until the last minute to seek help.
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Recognize when an on-campus meeting with an advisor may be helpful.
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Familiarize yourself with the college's web pages and online resources.
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Help your online advisor determine how to meet your needs by being as specific and direct as possible when asking questions, and providing relevant information.
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Allow at least 48 hours for a response. If your question is complicated, allow extra time for additional research. Try re-sending your message if you have not received an acknowledgement within three working days.
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Keep copies of all email correspondence form your online advisor and bring them along if you have a fact to face meeting.
Your Advising Appointment - In order to be most efficient during your advising appointment, please be prepared. Preparation includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Reading the course descriptions and prerequisites for courses BEFORE coming to an advising session
- Making a list of your questions and bringing it with you to your appointment
- Making a tentative class schedule if you plan to discuss registration
- Bringing records of previous advising sessions and an updated Degree Audit
- Bringing paper and a pen to take notes
What is the difference between a First-year Advisor and a Faculty Advisor?
First-year advising
The first year is one of exploration. Entering students are assigned an academic advisor from the faculty based on the areas of interest they indicated on their college applications.
So faculty advising is different?
Students are usually assigned a faculty advisor in their major department. The faculty member is seen as an expert in his/her field and can provide important advice about careers, graduate school, internships, and the preferred sequencing of the major course requirements. It is best to seek assistance from your faculty advisor to acquire information about:
- course selection and concerns
- specialization requirements
- information concerning internships
- career options and opportunities
- organizations and membership opportunities in your major.
Students are strongly encouraged to develop a relationship with an advisor and to meet regularly with that person.
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