The University of Toledo

ADVISING TIPS

Preparing for an Advising Appointment

While the ultimate responsibility rests with you as a student, your advisor is here to help. The best approach to achieving success is working with your adviser to achieve your educational and career goals. You will want to come prepared to your advising appointment so that you can get the most out of your time in college. To help you do this, consider the following points:

Academic advising is more than course scheduling — Feel free to discuss academic and non-academic matters with your adviser. Get to know your adviser and let your adviser get to know you; a strong student and adviser relationship can be beneficial.

Academic and Extra-Curricular Experiences — When scheduling next semester's classes, build upon your interests and skills to help you create a fulfilling and comprehensive schedule. The following questions may help to determine your interests: 

• What kinds of classes have I enjoyed in past semesters? Are they in a specific area of study or do they require certain skills?
• Is there a course sequence that I want to follow for a potential program of study?
• Which core courses will I find helpful in helping me to decide on a major and/or develop special skills or talents?
• How can I use core courses or college requirements to explore interests or majors?
• Which core courses categories need to be fulfilled, and how can I fulfill them in a way that best suits my interests?
• Do I have an intended major or a strong multiple/interdisciplinary interest?

Top Ten Class List - After considering the above questions, develop a list of courses you are interested in pursuing and note how they fit with your academic and career goals. An adviser will be able to help you identify target courses from your list or other courses related to your interests, goals, and priorities.

Questions and Concerns - Prepare a list of questions that you would like to talk to your adviser about, and be sure to prioritize them. This will help you get the most important answers addressed first and help you to stay on subject during your meeting.  

Make an Appointment - Schedule an advising appointment by calling 419.530.1250 or by signing up at the Department of Exploratory Studies front desk in Rocket Hall 1400. 

Tips on Keeping Your Academic Information Organized

• Keep your file with important advising information.
• Review your Degree Audit Report (DAR) regularly. This will allow you to plan for future semesters and understand remaining degree requirements. https://intranet.utoledo.edu/helpcenter/video/darsweb/index.html
• Check your University of Toledo e-mail often. Important UT and Gateway Program information is sent to your UT e-mail account on a regular basis.
• Update any address or phone number changes through myUT Self Service tab. The Department of Exploratory Studies sends mail to our students regarding important policy/ procedure updates and reminders.
• Meet with your instructor and your adviser if having trouble. If you are experiencing academic difficulty, discuss your situation with your professors and academic advisers as soon as possible. Resources on campus may help improve your academic performance.
• Meet regularly with an academic adviser. Meeting with an adviser will be helpful in planning your class schedule prior to registration. Many of your long-term advising questions including degree planning and major questions would be addressed over a sustained advising period.

Advising Versus Registration

Advising is the process of developing realistic plans for students' academic careers. Students and advisors work together to identify opportunities and to explore how they can be realized. Assistance may come in the form of, but not limited to, degree program explanation, degree completion planning, course selection, and assistance with navigating the registration process.

Registration is a separate process that occurs after meeting with an advisor. It is the process of enrolling in particular courses for a given semester. Students register for classes at http://myut.utoledo.edu 

Registration occurs once a semester. Advising is an ongoing process that isn't necessarily linked in time with registration.