Information for Students

Students should strive to:

• Know and meet graduation and other requirements and to make every reasonable effort to obtain appropriate academic advising.  
• Be adequately informed about the program of study through a review of the catalog, bulletin, and major checklist.  
• Make efforts to seek advising during the advisor’s office hours.  
• Schedule all registration advising sessions early in the registration period.  
• Arrive at all appointments promptly and prepared to make full use of the advising session  
• Inform advisor of significant changes in course registration, in degree plans, and other academic concerns. 

Suggested Activity

• Create an advising portfolio.

Advisors are key players in your academic planning and are ideal resources for questions you may have about your career or major. Keep in mind, that your advisor is available throughout the semester. You can see them whenever you have an academic concern. Please contact your advisor during their office hours or through your A-State email account.

You will get the most out of your academic advising sessions if you:

• Familiarize yourself with classes needed for degree completion prior to your meeting.
• Decide what questions to ask and write them down in advance.
• Set up an appointment during the advisor's office hours or let the advisor know if you cannot make their office hours.
• NOTE: You can usually reach most advisors by calling their academic department or sending an email. Schedule appointments in advance, especially during peak registration times.

Bring appropriate materials with you, including questions and checklists.

Deciding on a specific major can seem overwhelming.  Advisors in the University Advising Center are available to assist you in this process.  Keep in mind that advising is a shared responsibility between the student advisee and the faculty advisor.  For more information on how to make the most of your advising sessions attend one of the advisee trainings offered this semester.

Register for a Student Workshop.

Registration Holds

Advisors do not clear all holds. Students may have additional holds that prevent registration. Students should check their self-service account to investigate registration holds unrelated to academic advising.

Examine your interests, abilities, and values by asking:

• What excites me?  What types of jobs or careers appeal to me?  What are my strengths?  What are my weaknesses?  What kind of skills do I have?  What classes did I enjoy in high school?  What were my best subjects?  What kinds of extracurricular activities did I participate in while in high school?  What have I learned from part-time or summer jobs I held?  What are my short-term goals? What are my long-term goals?

Review the links below for a list of majors available at Arkansas State University and information on what you can do with those majors:

• Maintain a 2.0 GPA to avoid poor academic standing.
• Review the Degree List of available options at A-State.
• Review the information found at the site: What can I do with this major?
• Attend the Annual Select-A-Major Fair to explore the many major options at A-State and talk to department representatives from across campus.
• Make an appointment at the Wilson Counseling Center to complete the FOCUS Assessment
• Make an appointment with an advisor in the University Advising Center to discuss your abilities and interests
• Take an introductory course in a field that interests you.
• Make an appointment with the Career Services Center to explore relevant work/volunteer experiences in the areas that interest you.
• Join a student organization that aligns with your interests.
• Conduct an honest evaluation of your options based upon what you have learned.
• Narrow your choices and focus on choosing a major. Based on your research and self-assessment, you should now have a better idea of the majors that do interest you.
• Visit with an advisor in the field(s) that interests you to discuss your options further.
• Start and maintain a personal academic portfolio with grades, reports, projects, honors, activities, and a current resume.

Check out the Myths About the Exploratory Student.

The Select-A-Major Fair is held each fall semester. In addition, students will have the opportunity to visit with faculty and/or advisors from departments across campus to obtain information about their perspective majors and the career opportunities within those majors. The fair provides a great opportunity for students to speak with faculty about a major in which they have an interest in an informal environment.

The You Made A Difference Advisor Award is student-nominated and student-selected each fall.  Take a moment to nominate your advisor today!

You Made A Difference Award Information

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