Why you should meet with an Academic Advisor (and tips for a great first advising appointment)

Have you meet with your academic advisor yet? Wondering why you should? Academic advising is a way for you to get the guidance you need to set realistic academic goals and objectives. Your advisor will help you find the best path to meet your goals and keep you on track along the way. They'll help you decide which classes to take and when to take them to make sure you are successful and that you are on the most efficient path to save you time and money. They can also help you explore opportunities within your major: internships, apprenticeships, and more. Not sure what your goals are? Your advisor can help with this as well by helping you choose a pathway and determining the program that will best fit your interests and skills. Or, if you need more help figuring our what career you might want to pursue, we also offer free Career and Transfer counseling right in the same office as Academic Advising. They can help you discover your ideal career based on your passions and interests. This will help you when working with your advisor to select the right program to get to your goals, whether that includes transferring to continue your education or beginning your career right after you graduate from ACC. Ready to make an appointment with your academic advisor? At ACC we offer a few different options to meet your needs and schedule:

• One-on-one appointments - for a more in-depth conversation, look into your goals and what you need to complete them, review DegreeCheck and major requirements and build a plan, complete and submit academic and financial aid appeals, connect to academic resources, major exploration, course registration, and transfer planning
• Group registration sessions - for those just needing course scheduling assistance/guidance and to review DegreeCheck and major requirements
• Phone or email appointments - for students who can't make it to campus during advising hours, look into your goals and what you need to complete them, review DegreeCheck and major requirements and build a plan, complete and submit academic and financial aid appeals, connect to academic resources, major exploration, and transfer planning
• Walk-in appointments - shorter appointments for help with registering for classes,  changing your major, or to address an immediate concern and schedule a follow-up appointment

How to get the most out of your advising session

1. Think ahead - Think about what questions you have before you meet with your academic advisor and bring them with you along with relevant documents (transcripts, test scores, financial aid information)
2. Problem solve - Discuss your educational successes and challenges and how to solve them
3. Record - Write down what you discussed and the next steps to complete
4. Participate - Ask a lot of questions!
5. Plan - Leave your meeting with an action plan

We know you'll learn a lot while meeting with your advisor. Don't be afraid to follow-up with them afterwards to make sure you are on the right path and working toward your goals. Our advisors are here to help you Move Mountains and achieve your dreams. The earlier you meet with your advisor, the easier your path to success will become. Don't wait. Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor today!