Communication & Timing

• Introduce yourself.
  • What is your role as an advisor?
  • How are you different from ACDC?
• Explain registration holds and if you must clear a hold before they can register.
  • This will vary depending on your department's advising policy and their year (freshman vs. juniors).
• Include directions for scheduling an appointment. For example:
  • "Please make an appointment with me 48 hours in advance. Directions are [here]. I have availability three days a week for the next three weeks."
  • "I will host open advising hours over the next three weeks on Mondays 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm and Tuesdays 8:00 am - 12:00 pm. Please stop by ASAP to get advised."
• Include directions for them to follow BEFORE their appointment. For example:
  • "Visit the new Ogden Advising Portal and browse around. It houses a variety of valuable resources to help you through the advising process."
  • "Please complete the Ogden Advising Checklist before we meet."
  • "Review these registration FAQs."
  • "Review the required courses for your major/career plan (e.g., industry/field requirements, graduate school, med school, PT school, vet school, etc.). Review your degree audit and Finish-in-Four plan for help."
  • "Build a schedule for the next semester. Check the common course rotations for planning. Think about how many hours you need/want. Know your potential graduation date.
• Include directions for them to register. For example:
  • "Your faculty mentor does not register for you (see our Registering for Classes page)."
  • "Your faculty member cannot lift restrictions or provide overrides for other professor's courses. You must request these from the professor of the courses for which you are seeking the override."
• Include directions for them to apply for graduation. For example:
  • "If you have 90+ hours, you can apply for graduation. I recommend that you do so during the first few weeks of your last academic year. The registrar will run additional checks on your credit hour requirements when you apply. Applying early will keep you from missing necessary changes or additions."

The Ogden Advising Checklist includes all of these items (with links) and more. Asking your advisees to complete the checklist will cover all of the below communication items.

• "Make sure you have reviewed your 5th Week Check-In Assessment."
  • Students can access their assessment report via TopNet by following this path: Student Services > Student Records > View 5th Week Check-In Report > Term > Display 5th Week Check-In
• "Make sure you have reviewed your current academic standing."
  • Students can access their academic standing via TopNet by following this path: Student Services > Student Records > View Academic Standing and College Readiness Report
• "Freshman and Sophomores, make sure you have been advised through ACDC as well. Identify any courses about which you may have questions (prerequisites, corequisites, other restrictions, typical offerings). Identify any restrictions/holds. Do you need to retake any courses?
• "Think about the following topics you might want to bring up at your meeting."
  • Research, internships, study abroad opportunities, shadowing, student clubs, or departmental involvement
  • Study skills or resources for academic success, time management tips/advice
  • Changes to your degree path or your career path, graduate school, plans after graduating, or needs for letters of recommendation
  • Extra resources including financial help, counseling, transportation
• "Please be prepared to take notes during our meeting."