How To Get the Most Out of Academic Advising
Read Time: 6 Minutes
Author: Lorin Harris
Introduction
Penn State has an amazing faculty of advisors who are dedicated to helping students navigate their Penn State journey from their first day to their last. They act as resources for all things academic, but can also guide students through other challenges or questions they may have that pop up during the semester. While they are readily available to help with whatever a student may need, it’s a common theme that many people don’t know the basics about academic advising at Penn State and how they can be utilizing their faculty members to meet their goals both in the classroom and outside of it. This blog will detail many of the common questions that arise surrounding academic advising, and how students can make the most out of their knowledgeable advisors.
Do I get assigned an advisor?
Yes. Every student gets assigned an academic advisor upon accepting their offer to Penn State. Students will receive email communication from their advisor as time moves closer to the start of their first fall semester, and their advisor will help them create their first schedule at NSO. Students can see who their advisor is by logging into their Lionpath account and clicking “My Advisors” in the top right corner.
How often should I meet with an advisor?
There is a lot of independence at Penn State in how often students need to meet with their advisor--it’s up to the student. Technically, there is no requirement to meet with your advisor (unless specified by them or the program), but every student should to ensure they are on track to graduate. Nobody will make appointments for them, so there is a great deal of responsibility for students to keep up with meeting with their advisors. Most students find that meeting once or twice a semester, even just for a “check-up” to make sure all requirements are being met for degree planning, is the best way to stay on track.
Can I meet with advisors who aren’t my assigned advisor?
Yes, but it depends on the program/major. It is easier to meet with another advisor within a students college rather than cross college--for example, non-business majors cannot schedule advising appointments with business advisors unless they have a major/minor in Smeal. The best way to go about this is to research the advising faculty for a desired major/program and reach out to some of the contacts listed to see if getting an appointment with them would be possible.
What are my scheduling and appointment options?
The two ways to meet with an academic advisor are through scheduled meetings and drop-in office hours. There is a good chance that the department/college holds drop-in hours during the week that do not require a scheduled appointment, usually for quick questions and non-urgent issues. Students can visit the department website to see the time slots and locations for drop-ins, or reach out to their advisor to inquire about them. For scheduling an appointment with an advisor (these usually last 30 mins--1 hour), students can login to their Starfish account where they can see calendar availability for an appointment and schedule a meeting. Zoom or in-person options are typically both available depending on the advisor. Meetings can also be canceled there, and students can “raise their hand” to notify their advisor that they have an issue or request.
How can I prepare for an appointment?
Students should always be at least a little bit prepared with a question, course options or plan for their advisor before the meeting. As each year passes, advisors expect that students begin to get a grasp of how to navigate their Lionpath and schedule builders to understand what is expected of them when it comes to major requirements, scheduling necessities and course planning. Here are some tips of what students can do to prepare for an appointment:
Come with a question--write down and organize thoughts of what exactly you need help with so you can maximize your time with your advisor
Bring them researched course options or schedule building questions so you don’t have to create a schedule from scratch--understand the basics of what you need fo the next semester and having ideas about what you want to schedule allows your advisor to mold your schedule and check your options
Be tactful and plan in advance if you need to cancel or change times--showing up late could result in your appointment being canceled
Don’t be afraid to ask questions or clarify your concerns, they are there to help!
Bring a notebook or your laptop to write things down or search information they provide
What else can my advisor help me with?
While scheduling and degree-planning are major areas of help for advisors, they can assist students with so much more. Post-graduation plans, personal struggles, internships/jobs, and career searching are all areas that advisors cover and can assist with. At Penn State, if your advisor can’t help you with something, they will refer you to someone who can--but they are a sure and safe starting point.
Capitalize on your resources
Academic advising at Penn State is like having a mentor on your academic journey. Whether you're mapping out your schedule or figuring out your career path, advisors are there to help you navigate the twists and turns of university life. Reach out, ask questions, and make the most of your time at Penn State.
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