The Four-Year Advising Discussion Guide

  • Academic advising creates an educational environment with relationships that support students in discovering their passions and facilitates student’s understanding of the meaning and purpose of higher education and promotes intellectual and personal development toward academic success and lifelong learning.

    The Four-Year Advising Discussion Guide

  • First Year: Exploration

    Advisors initiate discussions with their advisees in the areas noted.

     

    First Year: Exploration Who am I?

     

    Discover Passions

     
    • How the Liberal Arts and Science Curriculum contribute to an educated person
    • Personal and academic skills, abilities, interest, and values that help explore majors
     

    Develop Intellectually

     
    • Critical thinking skills, academic success strategies and positive learning attitudes
    • College resources
    • Academic integrity
    • Satisfactory academic progress
    • How to find and use the Degree Audit Report (DAR)
    • Graduation requirements and major requirements
    • Connections between LASC courses and major curriculum courses

    Shape a Changing World and Participate as a Community Member

     
    • The roles and responsibilities that characterize successful advisor-advisee relationships (Advising Expectations)
    • The mission of MSUM
    • Behaviors that promote wellness and advance a healthy campus and community
    • The importance of meaningful relationships with faculty, staff and students
    • The importance of participation in the campus community
    • The significance of cultures for self and others
    • Understand personal finances and student debt management
    Second Year: Reflection

    Advisors initiate discussions with their advisees in the areas noted.

     

    Second Year: Reflection Who do I really want to become?

     

    Discover Passions

     
    • Choosing and/or committing to a major
    • Sources for academic majors and career information
     

    Develop Intellectually

     
    • How to shape an academic identity
    • On- and off- campus learning opportunities
    • Realistic academic and personal expectations
    • Scholarship and research opportunities
    • Leadership opportunities in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities
    • Confirm requirements specific to major
     

    Shape a Changing World and Participate as a Community Member

     
    • The benefit of engaging differences
    • The responsibility of contributing to the campus and broader community through meaningful service and leadership
    • Serving as role model for first-year students and others
     
    Third Year: Clarification

    Advisors initiate discussions with their advisees in the areas noted.

     

    Third Year: Clarification What is my place in the world?

     

    Discover Passions

     
    • Internships and a well-rounded education
    • Graduate school options and the necessary preparation for acceptance
     

    Develop Intellectually

     
    • Graduation policies and requirements
    • Opportunities to participate in public lectures, presentations and scholarly research
    • Assuming academic and co-curricular leadership
    • Junior DAR review and plan for completion of graduation requirements
     

    Shape a Changing World and Participate as a Community Member

     
    • The importance of ongoing relationships with two or three key faculty
    • The roles and responsibilities that come with being an upperclassman both on and off campus
    • Essential connections between classroom and out-of-classroom learning
     
    Fourth Year: Transition

    Advisors initiate discussions with their advisees in the areas noted.

     

    Fourth Year: Transition How can I shape a changing world?

     

    Discover Passions

     
    • Career opportunities in major and beyond
     

    Develop Intellectually

     
    • Final check on degree/graduation requirements
    • Application for graduation at last advising meeting
    • Specific plans and preparations for graduate study
    • Resources available to help with transition
     

    Shape a Changing World and Participate as a Community Member

     
    • How to tell my MSUM story
    • How to establish mentoring relationships with alumni and other key professionals
    • Evaluate leadership roles on and off campus
    • How an MSUM degree is preparation for a changing world
    • What it means to be a MSUM Alumnus
     
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