Tips for Advising Students

Whether you are a seasoned advisor or new to the advising experience, here are some suggestions to help you make the most of your advising sessions:

Download: Initial Session – New (returning or transfer advisee) Checklist

  • Discuss the roles and responsibilities of the advising (advisee and advisor) relationship with the student.
  • Provide the student with information about your division and their major program.
  • Provide the student with their major sequential plan. Discuss how this plan will be used during this and subsequent advising sessions. Provide advisee with a sequential program plan, if advisee does not possess one. 
  • In Student Planning, review the student’s placement test results, Transfer Equivalency Report, and/or LC State transcript. Explain how these relate to placement in core (and all) courses. Request TRER changes, if needed. 
  • Discuss Student Planning software and how "My Progress" (degree audit) is used to monitor pace and "Plan and Schedule" to register for classes and plan courses for future semesters. Request course substitutions when applicable. 
  • Using Student Planning and student-provided unofficial transcripts, advise the student into courses for the upcoming semester. Provide information about pre-requisites as well as how this semester will work into future semesters. 
  • Provide the student with information about the required application processes for their major, if required.
  • Confirm that assigned advisors (major, minor) are correct. If changes are needed, provide the student with a Program Information Form (PIF). Ask the student to complete the form. Collect, sign, and return to the division office for the Division Chair's signature and processing.
  • Ask the student if they are using campus resources effectively. Refer advisee to services that will support academic success. 
  • If needed, assist advisee with the financial aid satisfactory academic progress reinstatement process. The procedure and paperwork are found under the current academic year under Financial Aid Forms.
  • Release (Advisement Complete) student to register.

Download: Continuing advisees or initial session after Central Advising “Handoff” Checklist

  • Prepare for appointment by reviewing the student’s Student Planning "My Progress"(degree audit) to identify advancement toward graduation.
  • Discuss the roles and responsibilities of the advising (advisee and advisor) relationship with the student.
  • Provide the student with information about your division and their major program.
  • Discuss how (and why) the student selected their major and career path. Ask the student to identify:
    • the skills they possess that will help them reach their goal(s);
    • the challenges they may face in reaching their goal(s); and
    • a backup plan, in the event that they are unable to reach their goal(s).
  • Discuss academic progress, particularly any poor grades earned and repeats needed. If necessary, "My Progress/Timeline" in Student Planning will need to be revised to reflect adjustments to progress.
  • Ask the student if they feel they are using campus resources effectively. Refer advisee to services that will support academic success. A list of resources can be found here: Advising Tips for Students.
  • Encourage the advisee to plan courses for future semesters, if not yet complete. Review the Sequential Plan with the advisee. 
  • When appropriate, release the student to register for classes (Advisement Complete) once you have discussed and chosen appropriate courses. Remind the student to check for notifications in WarriorWeb to confirm they have no holds prohibiting registration.
  • If advisee expresses a need to drop a class or withdraw from a semester, guide them through the process in WarriorWeb or on paper with the drop/add form. Encourage the student to check with Student Accounts and/or the Financial Aid Office to determine potential implications.
  • If needed, assist the advisee with the financial aid satisfactory academic progress reinstatement process. The procedure and paperwork are found under the current academic year under Financial Aid Forms

Times to contact advisees each semester and messages to provide:

August or early September – Welcome back and an invitation to visit with you. Include office hours and contact information.

Early October – It’s time to begin thinking about plans for next semester. Invite advises to contact you for pre-advising. Priority Spring Registration is right around the corner!

After mid-terms (mid-October) are posted – Remember to check your mid-term grades (if enrolled in 0-299 courses). Specific communication to students who had poor grades at mid-term: Drop deadline is coming soon, invite students to meet with you if they need to withdraw from course(s).

October/November - Graduating? Be sure to submit your graduation application by Dec. 1 for May graduation.

Mid-November – If you haven’t yet met with me, don’t wait, classes are filling!

December – Grades will be posted on ____. I will be leaving campus for winter break on ____. If you need to meet before I leave, please let me know.

January or early February – Welcome back to campus and an invitation to visit with you. Include office hours and contact information.

Early March – It’s time to begin thinking about plans for next semester. Invite advisees to contact you for pre-advising. Priority Summer & Fall Registration is right around the corner!

March/April – Graduating? Be sure to submit your graduation application by May 1 for December graduation.

After mid-terms (mid-March) are posted – Remember to check your mid-term grades (if enrolled in 0-299 courses). Specific communication to students who had poor grades at mid-term: Drop deadline is coming soon, invite students to meet with you if they need to withdraw from course(s).

Mid-April – If you haven’t yet met with me, don’t wait, classes are filling!

May – Grades will be posted on ____. I will be leaving campus for summer break on ____. If you need to meet before I leave, please let me know.

Download: Timeline and Messaging Checklist

After logging in to Warrior Web, Advisors and Faculty Mentors use Advising to review assigned advisee and mentee records.

Download: Guide to Understanding Student Planning Progress - Degree Audit