How to get the most out of your academic advising!
Your academic advisor is an essential resource for you during your time at Missouri S&T.  We are committed to providing all students with equal access to the benefits of an education. Your academic advisor will try to help you realize your potential; by identifying academic, personal, and professional goals that will assist you in achieving your full potential. Your academic advisor wants to hear from you often, whether face to face, by email, on the telephone, or by just a brief note. Your success depends on a cooperative effort between you and your academic advisor.

When visiting your advisor, be prepared! Once you've scheduled a meeting with your advisor, be sure to become familiar with and utilize Joe SS for degree audits, registration, grade reports, and class schedules. Think about your goals. Be able to answer questions regarding your career expectations and personal, professional, and academic goals. Then, think about how you can strategically plan to realize those goals. You may be able to plan your extra-curricular time to help meet your goals. For example, you could do an internship, participate in research, or volunteer at a local organization.

Don't expect discussions to focus only on scheduling issues. Some of our best meetings with students result from students bringing a variety of questions to our attention. Come to meetings with your faculty advisor with a list of your questions and concerns. Your academic advisor serves as a guide through your academic career at Missouri S&T. You should feel free to contact your advisor with questions and concerns anytime throughout the semester. However, it would be best if you viewed your advisor as more than someone who can help you find answers to the nuts and bolts questions of registration. Instead, your advisor should also serve as someone that can direct you in using your time wisely, getting the most out of classes, defining your career goals, and working toward meeting those goals both academically and through extra-curricular activities.

Advisors know about university policies and procedures, so they can help students understand how to interpret the academic regulations and course catalog. Advisors also help students navigate the core curriculum, brainstorm about majors and careers, and strategize how to get out of academic trouble (if necessary). Finally, an advisor is someone for students to come to with almost any problem because they know where on-campus students can get all kinds of help.

Advisors expect students to be aware of their core and major requirements and to come to meetings with some ideas written down about classes to take each term. Advisors are also impressed when students come with a list of questions, which shows that they are interested in being in college and getting the most out of it. Students should follow up on advisor recommendations regarding visits to the Career Opportunities Center, talking to professors in their major area, and working with academic support programs.

We know that student involvement with faculty and academic advisors who offer support, encouragement, and expertise will add to your success. In addition, frequent advisor contacts help ensure that you have current academic information and are making optimal progress towards your educational/career goals, so please, get to know your advisor!