Transition with Purpose: Pathways from English Language to Academic Study

56 PREPARING TO MEET WITH YOUR MAJOR ACADEMIC ADVISOR Your academic advisor in your major will be able to provide information and answer questions about courses required for your major and courses needed to meet the requirements of your degree. Your major advisor will assist you in planning for your next terms of study and in creating a plan for completing your undergraduate degree. Pathways Introduction: You will meet with an academic advisor in a small group with other students with the same major, most likely during class time. The purpose of this first advising session is to meet your advisor, gain a general understanding of the expectations for your major and learn his/her recommendations for the academic courses you will take in your next term of study. Pathways Intermediate: You will schedule an individual appointment with an academic advisor in your major. In this way, you will learn how to make an appointment with an advisor for your major and where advising for your major is located. Additionally, this appointment may be a required assignment for your pathways seminar. Preparing for this meeting and using the time with your advisor in a productive way is important for both of you. It is recommended that you prepare at least three questions to ask your advisor. If this meeting is an assignment for your seminar and requires a signature or other verification, it is appropriate to request the signature or verification at the end of the appointment. It is not acceptable to inform your advisor that the advising appointment is only to fulfill a required assignment for class. Examples of questions to ask your major advisor: 1. What are the academic classes you should consider taking in your next term of study? 2. What university studies courses will you take and when will you take them? 3. How do you know which university studies courses to choose? For example, is there a FRINQ or SINQ theme that is recommended for your major? 4. Is there a GPA requirement in your major for graduation? 5. Is there an admission process for your major to be able to take upper-division (300-400 level) classes? 6. Are their student groups to join in your college/school/major? 7. What is your advisor’s advice for being academically successful in your major? 8. Other questions that pertain to your individual circumstances