One of your most valuable and probably under-utilized resources is your academic advisor. They do more than sign your advisement form. With access to your academic past (what courses you’ve already taken), present (what courses you’re taking now)  and, your future (what you’ll need to graduate), your adviser has the best view of your academic future.  Additionally, with the experience they’ve gained from successfully shepherding other students through the college experience, they have information and insight that is vital to successful completion of this semester and every semester until graduation—no crystal ball needed.

We are now a few weeks from the end of the semester; meet with your advisor as soon as possible. You have your mid-term grades so now is the time to be honest with yourself and your advisor about your prospects for the rest of this academic year. This is also how you begin planning for next semester. When you see your advisor do the following five things:

1. Talk to them about your performance last semester. Discuss why you got the grades you did and how to keep doing what you did right or how to fix what didn’t work. They have the answers to these questions.
2. Ask them to review with you what your curriculum is going forward and what if any changes you need to make or accommodate.
3. Look at your present course load – are they aware of any challenges? Should you arrange or rearrange what you’re taking in future semesters?
4. Talk to your advisor about scheduling classes so you’re not trying to take a spring course in the fall or a fall course in the spring.
5. Talk to you advisor about when you should take your courses to ensure you meet all the prerequisites when you want to take a course that requires them.

Have more questions? There’s more information and advice on working with your advisor in Chapter 9 of College In Four Years or, leave me a comment and I’m happy to answer your questions.