Ask the advisor

Q: Why the new column?\nA few weeks ago I was talking with my advising colleagues (we do that a lot), and we thought a new outreach strategy might be a good public service to offer the campus community. We hadn't heard from some of you in a while, and it was getting close to the time of the year to plan for summer and fall enrollments. We all knew the SIS had been causing some challenges, too. We wanted to get the word out to remind you we are still here for you. \nQ: How can you answer every question from every student?\nI can't. Like all advisers, I don't know everything. But I know a lot of people who do know everything (about their particular areas). I'll frequently rely on my friends and colleagues in the Bloomington Advisers Council (BAC) -- the professional organization of Bloomington academic advisers -- and in many other offices across campus to double-check my facts and to offer their thoughts and ideas to you. \nI don't want to answer every question, anyway. My goal is not to take the place of regular conferences with your own academic adviser. I hope to enhance your advising experience by providing as much information as possible about academic advising, and how you can get the most out of academic advising. I want to provide timely reminders and useful information. And, I will definitely push you to go meet with your own adviser to get more details than I can provide in this limited space.\nQ: What kind of questions do you want?\nAnything and everything! What do you want to know about getting started? Getting finished? Preparing for a career? Preparing for continuing education? Preparing to be a part of the real world? About IUB? About academic advising? About curriculum, rules, requirements, policies and procedures? Let me hear it! Although I won't be able to print every question you submit, I'll try to pick out the most common concerns and interesting questions for this column. \nA: Now, here's my first tip: Start making plans now! Early enrollment for Fall 2005 starts in a couple of weeks. Schedule an appointment to meet with your adviser to begin planning for your success in the fall. It's time to review your transcript, your previous and current performance and your progress toward completing your degree. Where do you want to go from here and how do you want to get there? When do you want to get into your intended school? When do you want to finish your degree? How do you plan to enhance your academic experiences? What else do you want to do, and study, and experience while you are here?\nStart doing some work on your own before your meeting. Read school bulletins, tab sheets and browse the online Schedule of Classes. Then come prepared to ask questions and discuss ideas about making the most of the time you have left at IUB. I know we can't wait to see you again!