You are here: Home → Academics → Advising & Enrollment → Using Your Advisor
Document Actions

Using Your Advisor

ACADEMIC ADVISING IN CASNR


WHAT DOES AN ACADEMIC ADVISOR DO?

  1. Assists you in understanding your major, if you have one, and assists you in understanding about careers in that field. Helps you decide your major if you don't have one. Recommends resources or people to visit with if you are unsure about your current major.
  2. Provides advice for creating your class schedule each semester. Works with you to ensure that you fulfill requirements for the University, college and major.
  3. Provides guidance for adding or dropping courses. For example, you are upset because it's your first week in classes and you hate your science class. Should you gut it out? Your advisor is a good person to turn to.
  4. Gives guidance and advise about important procedures to help you negotiate the system (i.e. how to get off probation, how to repeat a course, how to sign-up for special problem courses or internship hours).
  5. Is a friend who listens and uses her or his experience to help you out of jams, if possible.
  6. Finally, keeps whatever you tell him or her in strict confidence.

HOW CAN A STUDENT BEST USE AN ACADEMIC ADVISOR?

  1. Become familiar with the following:
    • Your degree sheet. Understand the format of your degree sheet.
    • SIS--Student Information System located at http://prodosu.okstate.edu. This is the system that will allow you to view upcoming classes, enroll via the web and add/drop via the web. You can also see your bursar's account and other general information about your personal account on campus.
    • Schedule Book: Understand how it is arranged. Be familiar with dates for final exams, dates for dropping/adding or withdrawing from class and enrollment periods
    • OSU Catalog: It has a description of every OSU course and the prerequisites for those courses. It outlines every academic regulation and every academic unit at OSU.
  2. Visit your advisor before your advance registration date. The best policy is to find out how and when you should make an appointment with the advisor.
  3. When you do come to your advising appointment, be prepared! Have a list of classes that you think you want to take and be prepared to justify why you have selected those courses. The advisor will recommend changes or make suggestions on your suggested schedule.
  4. Realize that advising appointments are for advisors to give you advice. If you are not prepared, the advising appointment will be frustrating for you and your advisor.