In a couple weeks, we’ll start registering for our spring semester classes. Some of us may be graduating, going abroad, or declaring a major or minor—but regardless, here are some things to talk about with your advisor.
How many more credits do I have left to complete before graduation?
This seems obvious, but it’s always good to ask your academic advisor this question, and talk it through with them. If you only took 14 or 12 credits during one semester, you may find yourself bulking up on credits at the last minute in order to graduate on time. This can be stressful, so you should always make sure to know what credits you still need to take, and whether they are electives or major requirements. Another thing to also keep in mind is: your major may require you to complete an internship within the program. These internships tend to count towards your credits, so it’s always good to figure this out sooner rather than later. Also, finding out how many credits you have left to take is a good way to map out what you want to do over summer and winter break, and a good way to figure out which semester you should go abroad.
How many of my major classes should I take in a semester?
By “major” classes, I don’t mean huge classes; I mean classes required by your major that pertain to your major. I’m a writing major, and my advisors always recommend that I don’t take more than two writing classes per semester, just so I don’t overwork myself. There may be other much more rigorous and challenging majors you may be a part of, like business management or visual arts, where their classes may be time-consuming—so you always want to make sure you’re asking your advisor what is the best class schedule that will benefit, not hinder, you school performance.
What general elective classes should I consider to supplement my career interests?
You should always discuss your career and future goals with your advisor. College is all about preparing you for the future you want to embark on, so your advisor should be your first-stop on your journey to paving your own success story. Advisors have knowledge about the whole school, not just your specific major, and most likely know professors, programs, and clubs you could participate in to feed your interests. This is helpful to your schedule because they can give you recommendations for which classes to take that would go along with your major classes, and who to speak with about declaring potential majors and minors.
3 Questions to Ask Your Academic Advisor
By Soriana Stern · November 3rd, 2011 · Admissions, Graduate, School, Student Life · Comments
3 November
In a couple weeks, we’ll start registering for our spring semester classes. Some of us may be graduating, going abroad, or declaring a major or minor—but regardless, here are some things to talk about with your advisor.
How many more credits do I have left to complete before graduation?
This seems obvious, but it’s always good to ask your academic advisor this question, and talk it through with them. If you only took 14 or 12 credits during one semester, you may find yourself bulking up on credits at the last minute in order to graduate on time. This can be stressful, so you should always make sure to know what credits you still need to take, and whether they are electives or major requirements. Another thing to also keep in mind is: your major may require you to complete an internship within the program. These internships tend to count towards your credits, so it’s always good to figure this out sooner rather than later. Also, finding out how many credits you have left to take is a good way to map out what you want to do over summer and winter break, and a good way to figure out which semester you should go abroad.
How many of my major classes should I take in a semester?
By “major” classes, I don’t mean huge classes; I mean classes required by your major that pertain to your major. I’m a writing major, and my advisors always recommend that I don’t take more than two writing classes per semester, just so I don’t overwork myself. There may be other much more rigorous and challenging majors you may be a part of, like business management or visual arts, where their classes may be time-consuming—so you always want to make sure you’re asking your advisor what is the best class schedule that will benefit, not hinder, you school performance.
What general elective classes should I consider to supplement my career interests?
You should always discuss your career and future goals with your advisor. College is all about preparing you for the future you want to embark on, so your advisor should be your first-stop on your journey to paving your own success story. Advisors have knowledge about the whole school, not just your specific major, and most likely know professors, programs, and clubs you could participate in to feed your interests. This is helpful to your schedule because they can give you recommendations for which classes to take that would go along with your major classes, and who to speak with about declaring potential majors and minors.