I know so many college students who don't give their upcoming semesters and their following education a single thought until a required meeting with their academic advisor. I've seen some people get by just fine this way, but I see more ending up frustrated, confused, and not getting what they could out of their education. I'm not saying advisors are a bad thing. They are extremely helpful and necessary when planning your upcoming semesters' courses and helping you weigh in what options you have. However, you will be in much better shape if you learn early to stop relying on them to plan out your courses. Here are five reasons why:
1. You need to start learning how to manage your life. Trust me, I know that accepting that you need to start "becoming an adult" is enough of a downer, but what you make of your education is essentially in your hands. Somewhere in your orientation bag, online student account, or your school's website, you will be able to find your degree requirements. Make sure you understand it and know your options. Get a copy of the course catalog and highlight which courses seem interesting to you. If you understand what your requirements and options are, chances are that you will feel more comfortable overall. Making this a habit is a great way to find the path you want to be on.
2. You aren't their only student. Most advisors not only have other students to advise, but are also professors teaching multiple classes. Your life is by no means the only thing on their mind. They will be there if you need their help, but you are not their sole responsibility.
3. You know your interests better than they do. Advisors usually know what courses will be a good fit with your course load, but they don't necessarily know which ones interest you the most. If you research other courses offered that fill your requirements, you're more likely to find one that may interest you more than BIO 101. Eventually, if you get into this habit, your advisor is more likely to understand the type of courses that interest you.
4. You will make their day. In an institution of higher learning, professors and advisors usually prefer working with people who are on the same page as them, or at least have put some effort into understanding "what's next." Your advisor will be more helpful and have more advice to give if you come prepared with pre-planned options and already have a basic understanding of the direction you need to head in. Most advisors enjoy seeing their students take initiative to reach their goals.
5. You will be ahead of the game. Eventually, you will be able to see a bigger picture. You'll find questions that you will be able to clear up before a major scheduling crisis occurs so that the semester runs smoothly and you are right on track. Keeping up-to-date with your courses can keep a lot of unwanted and unnecessary stress at bay.
These steps may not work for everyone. Your relationship with your advisor depends not only on their personality, but yours as well. No plan is foolproof. But most importantly, keep an open mind. Work to find the balance between taking charge of your education while also taking advantage of the resources that education makes available to you.
