Storytime: Way before I came to Muhlenberg, I had applied for this program through the Muhlenberg’s neuroscience department called “Brain Camp.” It was a one week program full of chill neuroscience lectures and working in a faculty member’s lab. I gained a lot from the experience: for example, a new respect for the common house fly and some new neuroscience knowledge. But, more than that, I gained the advice of a faculty member that convinced me that, even though research is my goal, I’d probably like attending an all-undergraduate liberal arts school over a large research institution. While I never tried the latter, I certainly enjoy Muhlenberg.
What’s the purpose of this story, you ask? Well, later, when I declared my major, I asked for this same faculty member to be my advisor. Though I’ve sort of, still unofficially, changed my major, this faculty member is still basically my advisor. Because he’s amazing.
Okay, so the purpose of this article is still not entirely clear. Long story short, I’ve had a rough few weeks. And, when I needed to talk, I showed up to my advisor’s office. Because he’s amazing, he let me in... and let me blow through a box of his tissues (pun unintended)... and let me talk until I felt better. Basically, my advisor is a great person.
Yours probably is too. Befriend them.
Here are some reasons why:
First, they’re who helps you figure out how to graduate on time. This might not be a problem for most people, but considering I switched my major and dropped pre-med, this was an issue for me. Though my advisor didn’t plan out my schedule for me, he advised me to do just that--and that’s how I learned that though it might be a squeeze, I will indeed be able to graduate on time with all the requirements needed.
Second, they're the people who can give you life advice that they’ve learned. Especially if you’re a “leap before you look” sort of people, like I have the tendency to be on occasion. Life advice = valuable. Heed it. I’m doing that right now, in fact. I was going to write an article about a recent, as of now unnamed, event in my life, but my advisor said that I should give stuff time to settle. So instead of writing about that event, I’m writing about why people should befriend their advisors.
Also, if you’re heading towards a career in research, like I am, your advisor’s advice is incredibly valuable. They’re in a career in research, and so they have a pretty good understanding of what’s needed for such a career, what’s needed to be a successful applicant to a PhD program, etc.
Finally, befriend all your professors--not just your advisors. I have a tendency to get along better with adults than I do my peers, even if we’re technically legal adults now. But I’m talking about more adulty-adults. They’re all cool, and they all have interesting stories that are worth listening to.
TL;DR: Your advisor is one of your most valuable college resources. Love them.
