Advising is at your service year-round

By Suzann Thompson
Staff Writer

May Osborne says most students do not realize that they can speak to an advisor year-round.

The 19-year advising veteran says that students wait until registration opens before seeking an advisor’s assistance. By that time the advisors are swamped and it is difficult to spend extra time with students who have a lot of questions.

Osborne says visiting an advisor during slower periods allows the advisor more time to provide students with expert advice. “Advisors are experts in planning academic paths,” says Osborne.

Part of an advisor’s job is helping students avoid overloading their schedules or wasting time and money on unnecessary classes. These are big issues for students, Osborne says, who have to stay in full-time status like international students and those who are still on their parents’ insurance.

“Success in college depends on taking the right courses at the right time,” says Osborne. “Advisors can help students achieve a good balance between difficulty levels, as well as school and work loads.”

Visiting an advisor during the “off season” is a sure way to avoid setbacks and get the individual attention students need. The best time to see an advisor is in September and October for spring semester planning, and mid-January to March for planning summer and fall schedules. When students see an advisor during these off times, they get attention not available in the 20-minute “busy season” sessions.

Osborne says advisors like to spend as much time with each student as necessary – even if it takes two hours. During the lengthier sessions, advisors can use a computer program that runs official degree plans. They can also catch unexpected problems that would otherwise cause delays during registration, such as unrecorded TASP scores and prerequisite information not yet entered into school records – problems that can exist even for students who qualify to self-register via telephone or Internet.

Spending the extra time with an advisor also allows students to build a strong relationship with a person who can act as their “spokesperson.”

The 7 full-time and 13 part-time advisors want to help students plan schedules that fit their lifestyles and educational requirements. They are available M-TR from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Call 972-273-3120.

Example with bullet to copy