Speaker 1: Since your academic advisor will be one of your most important guide in university, the first impression you make matters. It is crucial for you to be prepared for your meeting. Maybe you're not sure what questions to ask or what information you should share about yourself. Or maybe you feel intimidated and are not comfortable with the idea of a meeting. You should plan to connect with your advisor at least two times each semester. Your advisor is someone you can count on, so it is vital for you to take the time to build this relationship. Listen to your advisor. If you do not agree with his or her views, you have the right to question, respond, review, and respectfully disagree. Once you have met a few times, you will know if you and your advisor are a good match. Your advisor is committed to helping you achieve your academic goals in a confidential setting. Your success is important to them, and they are prepared to help you meet the many challenges you face while in school. Making your advising appointments early is important. Advisor schedules fill up quickly, especially during registration times or end of semester or exam time. Your advisor may have office hours or drop-in office hours. Depending on the advisor, they may prefer you to drop in during those times or contacting them to schedule an appointment. You should know the name of your advisor. You may ask the administrative staff or look them up on the university's website. They may also have a doctoral degree, so you should address them by Dr. so-and-so or Professor so-and-so. There may also be different advisors available for you. For example, there are academic advisors in your department, or learning specialists in the dean's office, or general advisors for the university. Depending on your need, you may seek advising with different advisors. Feel free to discuss academic issues and performance, as well as your unique interests, values, abilities, and circumstances with your advisor. It is easier for advisors to help if they have a full understanding of what your concerns are. Bring a copy of your transcript and degree audit. If you need assistance with course selection, review the course calendar and your program requirements in advance, and make a list of possible courses you would like to take for the following term. You should bring your appointment calendar or planner to jot notes for future appointments. Bring an open mind and a readiness to accept new information or new ways of seeing things. If it is your first meeting, introduce yourself. Also advisors meet with many students, and they may not remember exactly everything you talked about in your last meeting, so be prepared to give an update and outcome if you're from your last meeting. Be patient with them. Here are some expectations for your student-advisor relationship. Your advisor will keep information shared in the advising session confidential, and will only release such information to others with your expressed written permission. So if your parent or your partner decides to contact the advisor on their own, they cannot release any information to them or even state that you were being seen by them. Your advisor will encourage you to make an appointment to discuss complex matters in person, rather than risk student or advisor misunderstanding. As a student, you need to take responsibility for achieving your success, and accept the consequences of your academic and personal choices. Regularly reviewing your academic progress and maintaining your own advising file is important. Bring this file with you to your appointments. So there are some limitations on what your advisor may do for you. Your advisor may not have all the answers, but he or she will be willing to find out where you can get answers. Your advisor will not make decisions for you. You must make them for yourself. Your advisor cannot circumvent university policies and procedures, but will support you and advocate on your behalf where possible.