Fall academic advising concludes this week, as students and faculty meet to register students for classes to finish out the 2014-15 academic year.
For many students this is not a lengthy process. Becky Horst, interim registrar, says “fall advising has a smaller agenda than in the spring.”
For first-years, however, it can feel complicated and overwhelming to meet with an academic advisor.
Horst said that the Goshen College website directory is a tool for finding information about academic advisors, and the MyGC webpage is a tool for students to use in preparation for the advising sessions.
Faculty do their share of preparation as well, as they meet the week before advising begins in a group to orient themselves to the tasks at hand. There is a large range of experience among the faculty in terms of taking on the advising role. Horst provides training for the less experienced, while continuing to inform all faculty of any changes that have been made from past years.
“There is a lot riding on academic advising,” Horst said, “and it’s important that students and faculty are equally prepared.”
The Goshen College course catalog is a good resource for students to become familiar with, and inside it is a four-year plan, which is available for most majors to look at.
Advising can be especially important for transfer students and majors such as nursing, music or elementary education, which have numerous requirements to meet.
It is important for students to be prepared, and not rely too much on their advisors. Some responsibilities that fall on the students’ shoulders when advising rolls around include taking initiative to become knowledgeable in policies, procedures, deadlines and requirements. Students are also expected to schedule and keep all academic advising appointments.
The add/drop period began on Nov. 3 for seniors, Nov. 5 for juniors, and will begin Nov. 7 for sophomores and Nov. 11 for first-years. Go to the registrar’s office in AD14 for more information.
