Your advisor will be one of the most important people who will help you at Jefferson College of Health Sciences.  He/she will assist you in many ways including: registering you for courses, maintaining a check-list of your progress for graduation, referring students for needed services and problem-solving student concerns. 

Want to know more?  Click on the topics listed below to learn more about the advisor's and student's role and responsibilities as well as suggestions about meeting with your advisor for registration.

• Posting times each semester when he/she is available for advising.
• Helping to plan the student's academic program, particularly during pre-registration and registration periods.
• Empowering advisees to explore and make their own decisions regarding academic, career and lifelong goals.
• Maintaining a checklist of the student's progress and monitoring his/her progress toward satisfactory completion of all graduation requirements.
• Giving information on institutional policies, and procedures.
• Helping students understand the College policies and procedures.
• Knowing where to find answers to questions about requirements.
• Assisting students in choosing educational and career objectives commensurate with their interest and abilities.
• Modeling appropriate professional behaviors.
• Helping students see the possible short and long range consequences of their choices.
• Informing students of the wide range of services and educational opportunities that may be pertinent to their educational objectives at this college.
• Knowing all general education/professional education regulations/requirements.
• Keeping a written record of all substantive advice for the student's file.
• Making sure the student has a copy of the written advice.
• Making the student aware of the student's responsibility in the advising process, and confronting unprofessional behaviors appropriately.
• Explaining to the student during the advising session how the graduation requirements are related to the student's chosen professional and educational goals.
• Referring students for appropriate services.
• Problem-solving personal academic concerns while encouraging the student to be self-reliant by making informed and responsible decisions.

• Know and meet graduation and other requirements contained in the College Catalog/Student Handbook, class schedules, and other college publications.
• Develop plans for achieving academic, career and personal goals.
• Maintain their own personal academic record.  It is recommended that the folder include:
  • unofficial transcripts,
  • program requirement check list,
  • semester grade reports, and
  • schedule worksheets.
• Schedule appointments with your academic advisor each semester that includes no less than one meeting during each semester to review course of study and register for classes.
• Consult with your academic advisor if making major changes in your semester class schedule or when dropping courses during the semester.
• Attend a College new student orientation.
• Seek advisement when in academic difficulty (e.g. when cumulative GPA is below 2.0, doing poorly in a course etc.)
• Read the College Catalog and the College Student Handbook upon entering the College and seek out explanations for any policies/procedures that seem unclear or confusing.

It is very important for the student to note and understand that the final responsibility for meeting all academic requirements, as well as institutional requirements, ultimately remains with the student.

1.      Sign up EARLY for an advising time slot with your faculty advisor.  Faculty office hours are usually posted on their door.
2.      Bring your Registration Worksheet with you to the advising session.
3.      The College Catalog and the Schedule of Classes are available on the website.
4.      Talk with other students to find out about particular courses (e.g., difficulty level and instructor"s teaching style).
5.      Write in pencil a tentative schedule.  Take it to your advising session.
6.      Make a list of alternative classes because you may not get all of the classes you want.
7.      Be aware of any course prerequisites.  Be aware of courses that are offered in alternative semesters or years.
8.      Note the sequencing of course you must take.  In general, you take 200 level courses before 300 level courses.
9.      Note conflicts.  Make sure the classes you sign up for do not conflict with each other or with your work or your schedule.
10.  Inform your advisor of work hours or any obligations you may have.
11.  Discuss your grades with your advisor.  Think about where your academic strengths and weaknesses are found and discuss them with your advisor.
12.  Discuss career goals with your advisor.
13.  Know academic policies found in the College Catalog.  Remember, JCHS requires a 2.0 cumulative GPA in order to not be placed on Academic Probation status.  If you are having academic problems, discuss them with your advisor.
14.  Establish a good relationship with your advisor - advisors are ready to help you but you must ask for help. 
15.  When you graduate, you may need to ask your advisor for a letter of recommendation.  Start forming a relationship with your advisors early in your college career so they can write a terrific letter for you.

Acknowledgement:

Georgetown College Tips for Freshman @http://spider.georgetowncollege.edu/advising/tips_for_freshmen.html