Academic advising facts for kids

Academic advising is like having a helpful guide at school or college. An academic advisor works with students to help them figure out their school plans, career dreams, and life goals. They help students connect what they learn in class to their future. It's all about making good choices for your education and beyond.

A Look Back: How Advising Started

Academic advising has been around for a long time, even since the first colleges in America. Places like Harvard University had early forms of advising. A book called Academic Advising: A Comprehensive Handbook talks about how advising began and how it works today.

Around 1841, at Kenyon College, students were asked to pick a teacher to be their advisor. This teacher would then help them choose the right courses to finish their studies. This was one of the first times teachers formally helped students with their academic path.

Rules for Good Advising

There are special rules and guidelines for academic advising. These rules help make sure advisors do a great job. Groups like the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) and the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) created these standards. They cover many areas, from what advising aims to do to how well it works. These guidelines help advisors give the best support to students.

Different Ways Advisors Help

Advisors can help students in different ways. Here are three main types of advising:

Developmental Advising: Planning Your Future

This type of advising helps students explore and define their goals for school, careers, and life. It also helps them learn problem-solving and decision-making skills. It's about working together with your advisor to figure things out. Building a good relationship between the advisor and student is very important here. This method can take more time, but it helps students think about their whole future, not just their next class.

Prescriptive Advising: Getting the Facts

Prescriptive advising is more direct. It focuses on giving students important information about their school program. This includes rules, what courses they need for their major, and how to pick classes. Students usually start these conversations when they have a specific question. The goal is to help students move smoothly through their academic program. It's like asking a doctor for advice on what medicine to take.

Intrusive Advising: Reaching Out to You

In intrusive advising, the advisor starts the conversation with the student. They might reach out at important times, like when a student first starts college. They also might contact students who need extra help or those who are doing really well. This approach has been shown to help students stay in school and graduate. It can also help them pass difficult classes. However, some students might find this approach a bit too much.

Why Advising Matters

Academic advising is very helpful for students. When advisors meet with students face-to-face, especially to talk about future classes and careers, it makes a big difference. Students feel more connected and supported.

Having an academic advisor can make students happier with their school experience. It can also help them feel less alone or disconnected from their college. This feeling of connection can help students stay in school and graduate. This is true for students who attend classes on campus and those who take courses online.

See also

• Academic administration
• Academic detailing
• University Counseling Center
• Appreciative advising