Academic advising aids students who realize its rich benefits.
Before signing up for classes every semester, Cabrini requires students to meet with their academic advisers. On March 26, juniors will be able to register for their classes during senior year.
“I prepare for advising by looking at all the classes I have to take and making three possible schedules I could do,” junior education major Frances McPeak said.
Cabrini starts its advising program before students ever arrive on campus with the use of CabriniVision, an online program that tests students to place them in classes relative to their strengths and interests with the help of an adviser.
From there students take a college success seminar taught by their academic adviser. After the first semester, first-year students are able to switch advisers based off of the majors that they are able to choose.
Freshman Raquel Johnson who has recently declared criminology as her major found advising from Amber LaJeunesse to be extremely helpful.
“I found out that in one of my classes I wasn’t doing so well and my academic adviser emailed me as soon as she knew,” Johnson said. “She always has my back if I need her.If I have a problem she’ll know before I do and I can go to her.”
The student success page of Cabrini’s website says “Talk to your adviser about your academic interests. Take a class early on that counts toward a major you’re considering.” This is to inform students that academic advising is a key component to finishing college in the typical four-year set up.
Because of this plan, the college seems to force students to work with an adviser in order to plan out courses and many other activities. Cabrini’s website offers information that can help students to see why academic advising is a mandatory function in the school.
“I benefit because for education there is a lot of things to remember and keep track of and advising helps me keep track of that,” McPeak said.
McPeak has switched advisers because her original adviser retired but she also felt like she was not receiving the help she needed.
“I think it’s all about your perspective,” said Johnson. “If [students] don’t go to see their advisers then it’s going to feel like they don’t care.”
Overall finding the right adviser can be extremely beneficial to students who are unsure of what decisions might be best for their academic and career goals as they experience college.
“If you have an adviser who’s really on top of you and trying to make sure that you have a good time in college then I don’t think a student would feel [like their adviser did not care],” said Johnson.
