Why Schedule and Advising Appointment

Why Schedule an Advising Appointment

Academic advising on the Columbus campus is provided by the departments that offer the programs (degree/s, major/s, or minor/s) you are pursuing. This setup ensures that you get advice from someone who knows the program well. In University Exploration and on the regional campuses advisors are intensely trained to work with a variety of majors in order to provide their students optimal support. Besides knowing your program, your advisor knows Ohio State and can link you to services and support in other offices.

Advisors can help you make informed choices, but cannot do that alone. For a successful relationship, both advisors and students need to fulfill their responsibilities.

Making the most: What your advisor will do

  • Not judge you
  • Explain and interpret university policies
  • Help you understand how to get into the major you want
  • Listen to you and refer you to helpful offices and campus resources
  • Send you updates on events happening in your college or department
  • Teach your University Survey course, introducing you to life at Ohio State
  • Respond to your questions quickly (usually, 1-2 business days, M-F, 8am-5pm)
  • Advise you on course options and help you develop a plan to graduate on time
  • Advise you about courses required for your major and the correct order in which to take them
  • Make notes after your appointment to remind you of what you discussed and what you each agreed to do
    • Pro tip: You can review these when you log into OnCourse
  • Discuss your academic performance, possible reasons for that performance, and help develop a plan of action
  • Help you explore your interests, abilities, and goals to help you choose relevant course work or recommend other useful experiences
    • Pro tip: Talk to your advisor about your career goals and plans after graduation for helpful tips about ways to start preparing now
  • Get to know the real you!

Making the most: What you need to do

  • Know your responsibilities as a student.
  • Prepare a list of questions before your advising meeting. Need help with this?
    • Pro tip: Create digital and paper folders just for your advising materials. Advisors will often give you information about your degree plan or other documents; it is important to keep these notes
  • Inform your advisor immediately when you have a serious problem (medical, personal, financial) that affects your ability to attend classes and/or do well in them
  • Accept responsibility for decisions you made. An advisor will give you options, along with pros and cons, but the decision (and its consequences) are yours
  • Schedule regular advising appointments to monitor your progress toward graduation; check-in at least once a year via appointment (more often via email)
    • Pro tip: Ask questions and repeat the answer to make sure you understand. Take notes when appropriate
  • Know how to use the online system to schedule your classes. An advisor will help if you have problems. Check out the online assistance guide
  • Ask to be added to an advising listserv, if your college has one, to receive important updates
    • Pro tip: Create a special folder in your email where you receive these and other emails from your advisor; check it daily
  • Log into OnCourse and check your advising summaries to review important referrals, advice, and to-do items
    • Talk with your advisor about your concerns if you disagree with them

    • Be aware of academic deadlines and follow them
      • Get to know your advisor