Academic Advising 101: Help is here for math, writing, planning

Before new students meet their roommates, buy their textbooks and attend their first classes, they’ve already started planning their academic careers at WWU.

Summerstart and Transitions sessions include meetings with advisors and time to register for fall’s classes. Students who didn’t attend Summerstart or Transitions will meet their advisors during orientation sessions Sept. 19 to 22.

Students’ first advisors are either faculty or staff from their intended majors, or professional advisors from the Academic Advising Center or Student Outreach Services. Advisors explain university policies, help students with course selection and can help students with academic difficulties.

Students aren’t required to see academic advisors while at Western, said Tina Loudon, director of the Academic Advising and Career Services Services. But students who make the most out of the Advising Center’s services get the most out of their education, she said.

Staff from the Academic Advising Center will check in with new freshmen before they pick their winter quarter classes. Students also can turn to the Advising Center to explore majors, learn more about their own interests and strengths and track their progress to a degree.

The Advising Center is part of Academic and Career Development Services, a department which also includes the Career Services Center, so staff encourage students to explore their career options while they’re deciding on a major.

And

don’t forget faculty. Too many students don’t seek help from their professors when they’re struggling in class, said Steven VanderStaay, vice provost for undergraduate education. But students shouldn’t be reluctant to meet face-to-face with faculty, he said, who are another important resource for academic help.

Key Academic Resources

Academic Advising Center: WWU’s main source for academic planning, exploring majors and other academic questions.

Tutoring Center: Get help with study skills or lower-division classes.

Writing Center: Students can get help with papers either in person or on-line. Their Web site also includes many writers’ resources.

Math Center: Students can get help from Math Fellows at the center.

Student Outreach Services: Dedicated to helping multicultural, first-generation, underrepresented and non-traditional students acheive academic success.

Viking Advisor (pdf): This handy guide on how to register for classes and understand GUR requirements includes insiders’ tips on class sizes, homework expectations, and grading requirements.

Transfer Equivalency Report: Shows transfer students their WWU credit earned from other colleges and universities.

Major Guides: Descriptions of all WWU majors. And check out “What can I do with a major in…”