What to Ask Your Academic Adviser

Your academic adviser can help you embark on the complete college planning process, but you need to come armed with the right questions to make the most of the interaction. Here is a list of questions every student needs to ask his/her academic adviser.

1. How should I pick my major or degree? The complete college planning process begins with the selection of a degree, major, or course of study. If you are unsure about what you would like to study, your adviser can offer input on how to identify your interests and strengths. A good adviser should also be able to tell you how well graduates in different fields are paid.
2. Is the program I'm interested in ranked nationally? The program you choose should be well-recognized nationally in order to get the most from your degree. Complete college planning requires that you choose the best possible school and program for your educational goals. Ask your adviser if the program you're considering is ranked nationally and, if so, how highly.
3. What courses should I take during the first term? You shouldn't overwhelm yourself during your first term, as most students require some time to adjust to the college atmosphere. Ask your adviser for input on what classes would be ideal to begin with and how many classes you should take at one time.
4. How long will it take me to graduate? By nature, complete college planning is a long-term endeavor, so your adviser should be able to give you a general overview of your coursework from now until graduation. Find out how long it will take you to graduate if you complete classes at the pace recommended by your adviser. Remember that you can expedite the completion of your degree if you're willing to take classes during breaks, summers, etc.
5. What requirements must I fulfill in order to graduate? The goal of complete college planning is to help you graduate in the most efficient manner possible. Before you begin your studies, you should know exactly what requirements you need to fulfill in order to graduate. For example, how many credit hours do you need to graduate? Does your college or program require a thesis of their graduates? Will you need to complete any field work, such as student teaching or other internship experiences? Your adviser should have the answers to these questions.
6. What classes in my program are typically the most difficult for students? You will be better able to plan for college and the requisite time commitment if you know ahead of time which classes are the most rigorous and time-consuming. An academic adviser can tell you which courses are most challenging and/or require the most study time. You might then consider taking a lighter class load when you enroll in these courses to allow for the extra time commitment.