WHAT IS AN
ADVISOR?
A Guidance Counselor?
An advisor is kind of like a guidance counselor:
• S/he can help you make decisions about your classes and your future. • S/he can answer questions and help you find resources.
But an advisor is
not
a guidance counselor because:
• s/he will not tell you what to do, but will only help you understand the options
A Teacher?
An advisor is kind of like a teacher:
S/he provides you with new information and skills. S/he will teach you how to use the resources available.
But an advisor is
not
a teacher because:
s/he does not have a set of standard lessons to be taught, but instead provides information as necessary for each individual
there is no assessment or grading of what you have learned. This means that with an advisor you are much more responsible for determining what
A Friend?
An advisor is kind of like a friend:
• S/he is friendly and supportive and wants you to be successful and happy. • S/he is there for you when you need help.
But an advisor is
not
a friend because:
• s/he has to advise you about what is best for you, and within the limits of the college’s rules and policies. This means that sometimes, to help you, an
advisor must encourage you to rethink your decisions and suggest or insist you take necessary steps to correct mistakes or move toward your goals.
A Personal Counselor?
An advisor is kind of like a personal counselor:
• S/he listens to you and wants to understand who you are and what your goals are.
• S/he supports you in deciding what you want and how to get there.
But an advisor is
not
a personal counselor because:
• s/he will not help you to understand or cope with emotional or psychological concerns, but will help you make academic decisions within the context of these concerns, and may refer you to a licensed counselor for treatment.
An Administrator?
An advisor is like an administrator:
• S/he must enforce the rules an policies of the institution
• S/he is located within the context of a larger system and has limited control over aspects of the system outside her/his area.
But an advisor is
not
an administrator because:
• s/he is primarily concerned with the student’s experience and how the student can best accomplish his/her goals within the context of the institution’s rules and policies, and may act to advocate for the student across other areas of the system.
A Departmental Advisor?
An advisor is like a departmental advisor:
• S/he can help you find information about departments, majors and their prerequisites
• S/he can advise you on many of the courses that are required for many majors and minors and how they may apply to the GER.
But an advisor is
not
a departmental advisor
because:
• s/he cannot make decisions about what classes fulfill specific major or minor requirements and does not know all of the necessary coursework and
An advisor is like
a guidance counselor, a teacher,
a friend, a personal counselor, an administrator
and a
departmental advisor.
But…
An advisor is not exactly any one of these things!
An Advisor Is!
• Someone to answer questions about college
policies, procedures and options.
• Someone who can help you choose courses, majors
and extra-curriculars.
• Someone who can help sort out your options and
find solutions if you are struggling.
• Someone who can tell you what resources are
available for any needs you may have.
First-Year Advisors
Your freshman year, you are assigned a specific advisor who will
be available to you for advising and who will contact you
periodically with information and to check on your progress.
http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/fyso/advisors.shtml
First-year advisors will contact freshmen and invite them for
advising and informational workshops at appropriate times during
the first two semesters.
So what happens after my
freshman year? I’m on my own?!
No! After your freshman year you are welcome to see any of the
advisors the Office of Advising Services. Advisors are available on
a walk-in basis all year and for appointments most of the year.
http://studentservices.hunter.cuny.edu/advising/
advising_availability.htm
The big difference after your freshman year is that we will not do
so much outreach in inviting you to come see us, and instead will
expect that you will come to us when you need us!
Work Together
What will your advisor do to assist you in achieving your
academic goals? They will:
• provide current academic information. • help you learn about Hunter.
• explain academic requirements clearly. • listen to you.
• suggest introductory courses based on your interests. • be interested in you .
• support you in the development of a plan of study.
• let you make final decisions about your course of study. • encourage you.
• help you resolve problems.
Work Together
How can you help make your advising experience productive?
• Know who your Student Services Advisor is.
• Read—and re-read—available academic materials. • Check your Hunter email account regularly.
• Keep scheduled appointments with your Advisor.
• Tell your Advisor about successes and problems in courses. • Identify achievable academic goals
• Adhere to college deadlines
• Discuss academic issues before they become problems • Questions? Ask! Ask! Ask!
