How to Make the Most of Academic Advising in College

Published on: October 16, 2025

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Choosing classes and staying on track is easier when you understand what academic advising is and how it supports student success from day one. More than just a scheduler, their role includes mentoring, charting degree requirements, connecting you to campus resources and offering targeted course selection help that fits your goals, workload and timeline. If you’ve ever wondered, “What does an academic advisor do?” think of them as your guide to credit planning, internships and graduation readiness.

When your advisor knows your strengths and constraints, they can flag pitfalls early and suggest opportunities you might miss on your own. Come prepared with what to ask your academic advisor — clarifying prerequisites and exploring career-aligned electives — and you’ll turn each meeting into a practical step toward finishing your degree with confidence.

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What Is Academic Advising?

So, what is academic advising? It’s best to think of it as a structured partnership that helps you navigate college, from degree planning to policies to next steps after graduation. Advising can be considered a teaching-and-mentoring practice that empowers students to make informed decisions, connect with resources and progress toward their goals, all in service of student success.

What Does an Academic Advisor Do?

The role of an academic advisor spans beyond scheduling. Advisors:

Interpret degree requirements.

Provide course selection help.

Map semester-by-semester plans.

Connect you with tutoring, career services and wellness or financial support.

Coach decision-making and help evaluate options aligned with your goals.

Student advisors also offer support through individualized guidance, accurate information about policies and proactive referrals.

Why Does Academic Advising Matter?

Regular, effective advising is a proven driver of student success tied to persistence and completion: Studies and institutional data show that students who meet with advisors have higher retention, GPAs and graduation outcomes, in part because advising increases meaningful student–faculty contact and timely problem-solving.

How Academic Advisors Support Student Success

Ideally, advisors serve as partners who teach you how to make informed choices, not just people who clear registration holds. When you understand the role of an academic advisor, you can use their guidance to set goals, plan terms and tap the right help at the right time to drive greater student success.

Helping You Set Academic and Career Goals

Advisors help you clarify interests, choose a direction — then translate that into short- and long-term milestones tied to program requirements and opportunities like internships or study abroad. This coaching approach frames advising as teaching, so you build study strategies and decision-making skills that last.

Creating a Personalized Academic Plan

You and your advisor plot a term-by-term path to graduation that aligns prerequisites, credit load and timelines, often using degree audit tools and four-year planning templates. This is where targeted course selection helps keep you on track while leaving room for electives or a minor.

Connecting Students to Campus Resources

Advisors are hubs who refer you to resources like:

Tutoring and writing support

Financial aid counseling

Wellness services

Career guidance

Strong advising systems explicitly prioritize these connections to boost persistence and outcomes as well as help solve issues early.

Tips to Make the Most of Academic Advising

An impactful advising experience is a two-way street. Consider these habits to make each meeting count and keep building a relationship that supports student success.

Schedule Regular Meetings

Don’t wait for a crisis. Checking in each term helps you confirm progress, adjust plans and surface questions before registration or deadlines hit.

Come Prepared to Each Appointment

Review your degree audit, draft schedules and questions in advance so you can spend time making decisions instead of hunting for information. Many universities publish prep checklists you can follow.

Be Honest About Your Goals and Challenges

Share workload limits, interests and concerns so your advisor can suggest realistic options and timely referrals. Advising models are built on accurate information and candid conversation.

Take Initiative and Follow Up

Consistent follow-through keeps your plan moving. Treat action items like holds to clear and forms to submit or resource referrals as next steps that you own — then confirm completion.

Build a Relationship of Trust

The real payoff comes from establishing rapport. Advising works best when you know who to go to and feel comfortable asking for help. Trusted connections make it more likely you’ll use campus supports when you need them, which strengthens the success of building a relationship.

What to Ask Your Academic Advisor

Arrive with questions ready for your academic advisor so each meeting ends with clear next steps. Use these prompts to cover the essentials without missing key details.

Questions About Your Degree Path

Ask about remaining requirements, smart sequencing and time to graduation:

Which courses should I take next for my major?

Are there prerequisites I should stack now to stay on pace?

Can we review my audit together to confirm I’m meeting every rule?

These questions invite precise course selection help and clarify policies.

Questions About Career Planning

Discuss internships, research, networking and how electives or a minor support your goals, asking:

Which experiences align with my target field?

When should I apply, and what’s the timeline?

Who on campus can help me prepare?

Questions About Academic Support and Resources

Ask where to go for tutoring, writing assistance, financial guidance or wellness support, plus how referrals work. Your advisor can connect you quickly so that small issues don’t snowball.

Questions About Future Goals and Growth

Use advising to reflect and plan ahead; these conversations are central to the role of an academic advisor. You might ask:

Based on my strengths, what opportunities should I pursue next term?

How can I build skills that fit my long-term path?

What habits will help me sustain student success?

Turn Advising Into Momentum — Start Your Degree Online at Husson

You’ve learned what academic advising is, what an academic advisor does and what to ask your academic advisor to stay on track. Strong advising fuels student success by offering real course selection help, clear plans and steady guidance. When you’re building a relationship with your advisor, you make smarter choices and move faster toward your goals — the core role of an academic advisor in action.

Ready to put those wins to work? Explore Husson University’s online programs where flexible courses, practical support and dedicated faculty help you turn every advising meeting into progress. Apply what you’ve learned, map your next term with confidence and take the next step today.