The full article from Inside Higher Ed, Academic Success Tip: Engaging and Motivating Student Advisees, can be found by clicking on the hyperlinked text. Below are recommendations from the article.
"Academic advising involves building trusting relationships with students. One adviser explains practices that help students articulate their academic and personal needs while learning to advocate for themselves.
- Be attentive during introductions. This means listening to the student’s name and its pronunciation as well as preferred pronouns, which Estrada says are as important as learning about a student’s academic goals. In addition, she will ask students about their interests and why they chose their major or intended career, which helps “to create a welcoming conversation … These questions can bridge the gap between conversations that are strictly about their course requirements and conversations that allow them to share their academic and personal experiences on campus.”
- Offer a safe space for advisees. “Providing a space for conversations free of judgment helps them to articulate and advocate for their professional goals, their motivations, and [to be] better prepared to become professionals in their field,” she notes.
- Ask questions of students to uncover insights. If a student is considering changing majors, for example, questions to ask could include: What type of working environment would you like for your future job? What are the skills you wish to achieve? Would you like to go into graduate school? “Reflecting upon these questions is a way to discover the student’s goals, strengths and motivation that help them to embrace their college experience,” Estrada says.
- Try different tactics when needed. Sometimes academic conversations can become difficult when the student isn’t receptive to a recommendation. Advisers can help in creating a plan of action for the student to keep academic progress on track. Setting up a future session to continue is another option. “When a student is not willing to have a civil conversation, it is crucial to provide them with sufficient time to think critically,” says Estrada, adding that facing challenges creates a lot of stress.
- Suggest other assistance. Campus partners such as financial aid, career services or counseling services can serve as assets for struggling students. “This practice benefits students as they continue their college journey, and it gives them a chance to continue building trusting relationships,” says Estrada.
- Celebrate successes. Estrada views an advisee booking sessions on their own as a sign that her work is effective. It’s an indication the student is being proactive about academic responsibilities and bringing in questions about their academic journey. Such interactions are, she says, “an excellent way to find out how to best advocate for [students] and successfully teach them to advocate for themselves.”
NACADA Presents: Advisor Well-Being and Retention Podcasts - Found on the Global Advising Week website. Topics include:
- Where do we go from here?
- Advisor retention and burnout
- DEI work and well-being
- Talking with students about their well-being
- Gratitude, positivity & toxic positivity
- What is well-being? How do you consider well-being in advising?
Below are a important resources to view now and reference throughout the semester.
- Academic Advising Website for YOU and Students
- Academic Deadlines and Important Dates
- Mental Health Resources (Includes on and off campus resources)
- Not Sure Where to Start? Start with us! Center for Student Engagement and Success
- Registration Resources (Includes myRegistration resources)
- Student Financial Services:
- University Catalog
