The Advisor's Role

As an advisor, you have experienced first hand how students develop, both academically and personally, from freshman through senior years. Since each student is unique, recognizing and responding to their various needs can be challenging.

This chart serves as a reminder of the many academic and personal issues students face. Be proactive! Use your advisor role to assist students during these various developmental stages.

Freshman

Academic and Personal Issues: transitional period, fear of failing, increased vulnerability, independence and separation issues, uncertain about requirements and / or if in right major.

Advisor's Role: be accessible, a good listener, able to make referrals, knowledgeable about majors, requirements, policies, and procedures.

Sophomore

Academic and Personal Issues: increased self awareness, still dealing with lack of confidence yet expect more of oneself, increased campus involvement.

Advisor's Role: be accessible, reinforce student's ability to succeed academically, encourage self exploration.

Junior

Academic and Personal Issues: more relaxed, searching for ways to enhance academic experience, beginning to connect course work to the real world.

Advisor's Role: be accessible, relationship becomes more mentor based rather than information dissemination, discuss future plans, encourage special opportunities (i.e., study abroad, minors, undergraduate research, internships).

Senior

Academic and Personal Issues: very reflective, worried about completing graduation requirements, anxious about the future, questioning job search versus graduate school.

Advisor's Role: be accessible, mentor relationship critical, continue discussion of future plans, meet with student to verify graduation date and remaining coursework, write recommendations.