Developmental advising: Advising tasks and developmental strategies

Advising

  • Convey general academic information
  • Convey procedural information
  • Monitor academic progress
  • Record student contacts in file
  • Assist students with faculty contact
  • Instruct students in appeal procedures
  • Enforce academic standards
  • Monitor student comments and refer concerns to proper source
  • Convey information in context of student's relationship with the institution
  • Monitor student's knowledge and understanding of campus resources and ability to access them
  • Help students understand reasons for certain institutional and advising policies
  • Act as student's advocate when appropriate

Scheduling

  • Assist student to pre-schedule student for next term
  • Interpret test results and institutional requirements
  • Monitor course selection
  • Explain curricular intricacies and major requirements
  • Assess appropriateness of course schedule
  • Approach scheduling process as an opportunity to increase knowledge and develop skills rather than a one-time event
  • Help student schedule in terms of personal abilities and goals
  • Interpret tests in clear and sensitive manner
  • Use holistic approach to formulating schedules so that an appreciation for an integrated program is developed
  • Perform necessary paperwork to assure institutional requirements are met
  • Verify documents and accuracy of procedural actions
  • Maintain records with understanding that they are personal and confidential
  • Student's problems may sometimes be resolved through paper transactions

Counseling

  • Help student explore majors or confirm major choices
  • Assist students with long-range planning
  • Help students explore or confirm choices within the context of individual and institutional needs
  • Help students negotiate decision making process
  • Make realistic and relevant referrals to campus resources
  • Help students assess their values, interests, abilities and goals
  • Assist students to relate their personal strengths and limitations to academic and career opportunities
  • Refer students to relevant human, printed and computer resources
  • Assist with decision making and the establishment of a realistic plan based on student's unique needs

Gordon, Virginia N., Ohio State University, Advising Skills, Techniques, and Resources, ACT

University Advising Center