When Should I Visit my Academic Adviser and How Should I Prepare?

It is highly advised that you consult with your academic adviser at least once a semester to discuss your educational plans, schedule appropriate courses, review your degree audit, check your academic progress and/or discuss other educational/career opportunities.

If you are a first-year student or new to University Park campus, you should schedule an appointment with your academic adviser early in the semester.

Below are reasons why students typically meet with their academic advisers. Students' prior preparations for an advising meeting can greatly enhance your adviser's ability to provide accurate and helpful advice.

 

I'm thinking about seeing my academic adviser because:

1. I'm concerned about how well I'm doing in my coursework.
2. I would like to discuss possible majors or change my major.
3. I want to drop or add a course from my schedule.
4. I need some help resolving some academic difficulty from a past semester.
5. I want to plan my schedule for next semester.
6. I want to discuss educational and/or career post-graduation opportunities.
7. Other.

I'm concerned about how well I'm doing in my courses.

Below are suggestions of how you can prepare for your meeting with your academic adviser.

1. Questions you should be able to answer when you meet with your acadecic adviser:
• What grades are you earning in your courses?
• What course(s) are you most concerned about?
• Why do you think you are doing poorly?
• Have you spoken to your instructor(s) to discuss your academic performance?
• What other actions have you taken (i.e. departmental tutoring, supplemental instruction, University Learning Center)?

 

I would like to discuss possible majors or change my major.

Below are suggestions of how you can prepare for your meeting with your academic adviser.

1. Questions you should be able to answer when you meet with your academic adviser:
   • What majors are you considering?
   • What are your interests, abilities and experiences that relate to the majors you are considering?
   • If you cannot list majors you are considering, what are your interests and abilities?
2. Other sources you may want to consult:
   • Undergraduate Degree Programs Bulletin
   • eLion Major Themes module
     

I want to drop or add a course from my schedule.

Below are suggestions of how you can prepare for your meeting with your academic adviser.

1. Questions you should be able to answer when you meet with your academic adviser:
2. • What courses are you considering dropping or adding?
   • Why are you considering dropping or adding the course(s)?
   • If you are dropping course(s), how will it affect your graduation, financial aid status, and health insurance?
   • eLion Late Drop module

I need some help resolving some academic difficulty from a past semester.

Below are suggestions of how you can prepare for your meeting with your academic adviser.

1. Questions you should be able to answer when you meet with your academic adviser:
   • What is the nature of your academic difficulty?
   • What factors contributed to your academic difficulty?
   • What actions have you taken to address the academic difficulty?
   • Have the factors which contributed to your academic difficulty been resolved?
   • In what way would you like the past difficulties resolved?
   • What action have you taken, if any, to resolve the past academic difficulty?
2. Other sources you may want to consider:
   • University policies regarding retroactive academic procedures accessible at http://www.psu.edu/advising/

I want to plan my schedule for next semester.

Below are suggestions of how you can prepare for your meeting with your academic adviser.

1. Questions you should be able to answer when you meet with your academic adviser:
   • What courses would you like to take?
   • How do the courses you would like to take fit into your degree requirements?
2. Other sources you may want to consult:
3. • Obtain your degree program checksheet for degree requirements from the department office or website.  Note: Some departments provide a suggested schedule pattern.
   • Degree Audit module in eLion

I want to discuss educational and/or career post-graduation opportunities.

Below are suggestions of how you can prepare for your meeting with your academic adviser.

1. Questions you should be able to answer when you meet with your academic adviser:
   • What career opportunities or post-graduate programs have you considered?
   • If you have considered specific post-graduate educational or career opportunities, what are your reasons for the expressed interest?
   • How well are you prepared for the post-graduate plans for which you have expressed an interest?
   • If you are not prepared, what further preparation do you need?
2. Other sources you may wish to consult:
3. • Visit the MBNA career services center: schedule a career counseling appointment; research the career library; sign-up for LionLink, a career networking program with University alumni; enroll in a career decision-making course, etc.
   • Attend a career fair or a graduate school fair sponsored by Career Services.

 

You can prepare for a visit with your adviser by going to the Advising Preparation application on eLion .