Why See an Advisor
Your advisor can help you save time and money by staying on track. They can help you:
- Select courses that match your interests and skills
- Make a long-term academic plan in order to meet your goals
- Interpret test scores and transcripts from other colleges
- Understand transfer requirements, registration procedures and class scheduling
- Overcome academic concerns and special needs
- Get referrals to other college and community resources
Who Advises You
Depending on your college and program, you might find a variety of job titles assigned to the people helping you move toward a degree: academic advisor, counselor, program advisor, educational planner, faculty advisor, student success specialist and peer advisor, to name just a few.
In many professional-technical training programs, students are assigned a faculty advisor.
Changing Your Major
If you start out pursuing a degree and then change your career and educational goals, be sure to meet with an advisor right away. The earlier you revise your degree plan, the more time and money you can save.
Be aware that Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees do not transfer directly to universities, except in certain cases.
Your Responsibilities
You share responsibility with the college for your education. Successful college students take ownership for their own progress. They ask for help when needed.
This means being responsible not only for your own academics, but also the administrative duties of being a college student: adding/dropping classes, withdrawal deadlines, final exam schedule, financial aid requirements, registration dates, book buy-back rules and paying tuition.
Find out if the career or job you want requires a bachelor’s degree from a university. This will help clarify your academic goals and decide which degree to earn.
If you plan to transfer to a university after community college, contact that university for their most recent requirements.
Follow your academic plan and meet with an advisor regularly.