What to Ask in Undergraduate Advising
What to Ask in Undergraduate Advising
By Shannie Rao
As we approach course registration for next fall, a lot of students find themselves stuck and unsure about how to make the most of their advising sessions. Luckily, I’ve got a few tips on what you should ask to help you plan out your academic career!!
One of the most obvious things to ask your advisor about is your course registrations and being on track for graduation. While it may feel intimidating to ask if your advisor feels there are any classes you should be taking sooner or waiting to take, this can be extremely helpful for allowing you to space out different courses and not feel as stressed when you get to senior year.
Along with this, advisors can help with finding courses similar to ones you’ve really enjoyed. For example, you can ask: “I really loved Course X with Professor Y—are there any other professors or courses that you think I could take that would be similar?” Advisors have the advantage of knowing other faculty and their teaching styles, which can be super helpful when deciding which course to take.
Advisors also often have knowledge of the various extracurricular opportunities that Fordham has to offer! Share a little bit about what you’re interested in and your advisor may be able to connect you to opportunities or fellow students involved in those activities. And if you’re interested in starting a new club or activity, your advisor might even be able to tell you about someone else who’s interested in the same thing!
Advisors can be very helpful people to discuss your career and what you want to do after college with. Simply asking “At this point in college, where should I be in terms of getting internships and knowing my path” can help you get a sense of what you can do to keep yourself on track! Advisors can also recommend opportunities or specific places to find opportunities in your prospective career.
Advisors are also there to support you when you’re struggling! If you’re stressed and lost about a specific course, you can set up a meeting with your advisor to figure out the best solution to your situation. Asking “What resources are there on campus that could help me right now?” can be especially helpful in this situation.
I hope these tips were helpful! Remember that advisors are there to help—but if you don’t share what you need help with, they have no way of knowing the best ways to offer guidance and support. So keep these in mind, and maybe write out a few specific questions of your own the next time you’re going into an advising session!