You Must Be Your Own Advisor

As I helped my sister register for classes this fall, I was again reminded of a lesson my high school biology teacher shared. “When you go to college, you must be your own advisor.” He shared that there are good college advisors out there, but in the end, the responsibility to look out for yourself is your own. Not looking out for yourself can easily cost you an extra semester (maybe even two) and big bucks.

Help pass the message onto your upperclassmen. Engage your school counselor in the process by asking him or her to bring in college catalogs. Ask students to choose a major and list the requirements needed. Have them note any prerequisites for each class. Send them to the college or university web-site of their choice to make a mock class schedule for the semester. Share extra tips with your students on registering early and how to ask permission to join a class listed as full.


Career Development Tip for September 4, 2008