5 Steps to Prepare for an Academic Advising Appointment [3min read]

Learning everything about your program of study and the courses required can be a lot to take in, but academic advising can really help you when you are a new CBU student. Academic advising is where you meet with an advisor and walk-through requirements for your program while discussing any questions you have. This year, appointments are being held virtually due to the pandemic. Some appointments are virtual meetings but most are by email. Once your advising appointment is booked and, all you have to do is read the email from your advisor and prepare yourself to learn more during your appointment. Here are five steps to prepare for your academic advising appointment in advance:

1. Navigate your new Compass Student Account
   Once your appointment is booked, log into your Compass Student Account again and get familiar with the layout. This is where you will be corresponding with your advisor during the appointment or getting the code for a virtual meeting. This is also a great time to set up your notifications for important emails about classes, important dates, or news from CBU.
2. Read the whole pre-advising email
   Before your appointment you will receive an email with all the information on what to expect. Read. it. all. This is the step I would stress the most. The entire email must be read. It may seem long, but everything mentioned in this email is important and really helps with planning for success in your first year.
3. Make a list of the courses you need and want to take (yes, there is a difference)
   Once you have read the whole email 🙃 , jot down the required courses, which are also outlined by program in the Academic Calendar, then choose the electives you are interested in. To learn more about each course before the advising appointment, check the course catalogue, located within your Compass Student Account or CBU.ca.
4. Plan a schedule
   Make a rough draft of your schedule. This may be the trickiest part- trying to make sure courses aren’t at the same time or a day isn’t too busy to handle. You’ll thank yourself, because having a pre-set schedule will come in handy when it’s time to register for your courses. It’s also good to know if everything you need fits in a rough draft so you can then ask your advisor for advice if you need alternative options.
5. Make a list with of your questions
   This is one of the most important parts. Meeting with your advisor is all about asking questions. So, before your appointment but after you follow the first four steps above, make a list of any questions that come up while preparing for your meeting. As many people would say, there are no stupid questions and CBU’s advisors are available to answer all your questions the best way they can!

These are the 5 steps to prepare for academic advising and make your appointment as easy as can be. The steps don’t just help with making your appointment easier, they help registration go smoothly too.

If you have questions after your appointment, do not hesitate to reach out to your advisor for help. There are many resources online as well, like CBU.ca or the YouTube channel with many How-to-CBU videos!

Now that you know how to prepare for academic advising, book your appointment at CBU.ca/advising.

 

 

Written By: Alyssa Burke

Alyssa Burke is a CBU Brand Ambassador and a grade 12 student at Riverview High School. Alyssa will begin her studies at CBU in the fall, pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree.