Academic Advising
What?
At CBU, we value the importance of academic advising. We want you to not only understand your program and courses, but also how your education fits into your future life goals. Developing an academic plan and reviewing it overtime helps you get the most out of your CBU experience. The type of advising you need depends on what stage you are at in your program; sometimes you need help learning how to register for courses and manage your class schedule, while other times you may wish to discuss your options for a major, or post-graduation plans.
Why?
We strive to bring important and beneficial advising information to students for a few key reasons.
Flexibility: Receiving information in writing via email allows students to take their time reviewing the details at their own convenience and comfort. Full-time advisors provide advising support all year long, meaning students can reach out via email at any time with questions, or to schedule an appointment.
Peer Support: Virtual and in-person group Advising & Registration sessions/events (when protocols allow) allow students to get program and course information, view registration demonstrations and ask live questions. It also allows them to connect with peers in similar programs.
Preparation: One-on-one virtual and in-person advising appointments are most productive when students have had a chance to prepare questions after reviewing information sent to them in advance. It’s nice to see your advisor in real-time and get more familiar with CBU resources and technology. Screen-sharing during virtual sessions can be beneficial, while other students may prefer to meet with an advisor on campus.
When?
Every student is different and CBU offers a variety of flexible program formats, so students may require advising support at various times of the year for a wide range of reasons. However, it can be helpful to review CBU’s Important Dates and keep these advising checkpoints in mind:
- At the beginning of your program before you begin classes
- In the middle of your program to ensure you understand your academic plan and are on track with your goals
- In your final year to verify you have registered for all courses required to graduate
Here are some examples of when you might need to consult with an academic advisor:
- You need help choosing/scheduling/registering for courses
- You want to discuss your academic program requirements
- You need help declaring a major, concentration or speciality
- You want to discuss graduation requirements and next steps
- You want to discuss changing your current program of study