Student Academic Services

Student Academic Services provides consultation and advice regarding academic issues, e.g. creating a personal course schedule, course drop/add, adding or changing majors/minors/certificates, and changing advisors.

The Advising Process

Advising Is Important
Your advisor is there to assist you in getting the most out of your educational experience. They have experience in their area and their opinions are highly valuable to your academic success.

Advising Is Not Difficult
Students should come prepared for an advising session by thinking about which classes and academic areas they would like to pursue. The advisor will then aid the student in a balanced course selection.

Value Your Advising Sessions
Listen to your advisor and respect his or her opinions. The final decisions about your academic career are, of course, up to you, but your advisor is a valuable tool for you to access.

Benefits For Students
Advising sessions provide a valuable link between students and faculty advisors. It gives you the opportunity to communicate with a professional in your particular field, and allows the advisor to stay in touch with the ever changing college community.

An Opportunity To Share Knowledge
Advising provides an opportunity for an advisor to share knowledge about their particular field and about the educational experience as a whole. For students, it provides an opportunity to share their academic and career goals and receive advice specifically tailored to their needs.

Things To Know

Communication

Information shared in the advising session is between you and your advisor. It will not be disclosed to those outside the VCSU community without your consent. Information may be shared with others at VCSU if that will serve to enhance your educational experience.
Your advisor will not discuss sensitive and confidential information via e-mail or phone.
Your advisor will encourage you to make an appointment to discuss complex matters in person rather than risk student or advisor misunderstanding.

Prepare For Your Advising Session

Bring documents to process curriculum or major declarations and changes.
Make a list of questions you need answered and possible courses for the following term.
Be prepared to discuss details of your academic performance.
Bring your appointment calendar or planner to take notes for future appointment.
Ask questions on how

Questions/Comments For Your Advisor

Be aware of your academic strengths and weaknesses.
Tell your advisor about any barriers you may need to overcome to be successful.
Do not be afraid to ask about help outside of academics. Even if you do not feel comfortable discussing a matter with your advisor, he or she can direct you to an appropriate place or person.
Discuss your comfort level with your advisor. You can decide how personal you want your relationship with your advisor to be.
Tell your advisor about your reasons for choosing VCSU and your particular field of study.
Ask your advisor about career advice, graduate school, major and minor selection, or any other academic questions or concerns you may be having.
Ask your advisor how he or she chose his or her particular career path.

Advisor Limitations

Your advisor will not have all the answers, but he or she will be willing to find out where you can get the answers.
Your advisor will not make decisions for you. You must make them for yourself.
Your advisor cannot circumvent university policies and procedures, but will support and advocate on your behalf.

Please call the Director of Student Academic Services, Jan Drake at ext. 7302 to schedule an appointment.

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Office Information

Director of Student Academic Services
Jane Drake - McFarland 208

Phone: 800-532-8641, extension 7302 or 701-845-7302

Email: jan.drake@vcsu.edu