Advisors can help you understand fully all of your options and avoid needless mistakes, but only if you take the initiative to seek their advice. Your responsibilities in the advising relationship are:

1. To take the initiative to contact your advisor. Be mindful of the need to work with advisers during posted office hours or take the initiative to make other arrangements when necessary.
2. To prepare a list of questions or concerns before each meeting with your advisor. Have a tentative written schedule prepared if your are registering.
3. To gather all relevant decision-making information.
4. To seek sources of information which will assist you in making academic/career decisions.
5. To ask questions! If you don't understand a policy or a procedure, ask questions until you do understand. Be knowledgeable about policies, procedures and requirements.
6. To be familiar with the requirements of the major(s) which you are pursuing, and to schedule courses each semester in accordance with those requirements.
7. To be aware of the prerequisites for each course that you include in your semester schedule and to discuss with your advisor how prerequisites will affect the sequencing of your courses.
8. To follow university procedures for registering courses and for making adjustments to your class schedule.
9. To observe academic deadlines. Don't miss deadlines. Know when to register and when to drop or add classes. Set up appointments with your advisor well in advance of these deadlines.
10. To keep your advisor informed about changes in your academic progress, course selection, and academic/career goals.
11. To keep a personal record of your progress towards your degree. Organize official university documents (Undergraduate Catalog, Schedule of Classes, Academic Program Form, etc.) in a way that enables you to access them when needed.
12. To participate fully in the courses for which you are registered by completing assignments on time and attending class.
13. To understand academic performance standards, academic probation, academic dismissal, and to know GPA requirements.
14. To notify the university if your address or phone changes and to read your university mail, including e-mail.
15. To inform your advisor or the Dean's Office immediately whenever a serious problem (medical, financial, personal) disrupts your ability to attend classes or interferes with your ability to focus on your education and to perform your best work.

1. To clarify university policies, regulations, programs, and procedures about which you may have questions.
2. To be available to meet with you each semester.
3. To keep regular office hours and be adequately available to meet with you.
4. To offer advice on selecting courses and to assist you in developing an academic plan that satisfies degree requirements.
5. To be a responsive listener and to refer you to appropriate support services within the university when needed.
6. To discuss with you your academic performance and the implications of your performance for the undergraduate programs, graduate programs and professional programs you desire to pursue.
7. To help you to explore your interests, abilities, and goals and to relate them to academic majors.
8. To be knowledgeable about career opportunities and to refer you to Career Services as needed.
9. To offer you the opportunity to participate in a mentoring relationship which will help you to become more independent and self-directed.

Transfer Learning Communities allow transfer students to enroll in two common courses that share interdisciplinary themes or questions. These linked courses improve student academic performance and allow students to have more meaningful social interactions. All Learning Community courses fulfill major requirements and count toward your degree. Consult with your Transfer Learning Community Advocate, Dr. Lisa Hensley, when you have academic concerns or need to know how things work at Texas Wesleyan University.

1. Transfer Learning Community Brochure

Academic Advising occurs twice a year (Fall and Spring) to prepare you for the next semester. During Spring Semester you can plan for Summer courses as well as Fall courses. Find advising dates in the University Academic Calendar.

It is your responsibility to contact your assigned advisor to schedule an appointment during the advisement period.

Review the Transfer Advising Syllabus to familiarize yourself with the advising process on campus.

E-Advising

E-Advising is an online planning and registration tool available to all undergraduate sophmores, juniors, and seniors as of Spring 2011. For more information on E-Advising contact your advisor or check out the E-Advising student training materials.

1. Become knowledgeable about college programs, resources, degree requirements, policies and procedures
2. Maintain an open and regular line of communication with your student
3. Ask your student questions related to their personal well-being and social adjustment in addition to academics
4. Discuss each other's expectations regarding money, grades, studies, contact, work, relationships and life skills
5. Encourage your student to ask for help
6. Encourage your student to seek out campus resources
7. Be available to support and encourage your student
8. Offer advice (when appropriate)
9. Encourage your student to do things they can do for themselves
10. Allow students to make mistakes in this safe environment
11. Recognize that college is an important step in the process of your student realizing their autonomy

These questions are suggestions from the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) website as conversation starters to help your student gain insights into their college adjustment and experience.

Ask your student:

1. What do you know about your professors? Their backgrounds, educational training or interests?
2. Have you found any faculty members to be particularly encouraging or helpful?
3. Do you understand the objectives of each of your classes?
4. Have you had to do any report or research writing?
5. What skills do you now know you need to be a better student?
6. Have you experienced any anxiety or sleeplessness?
7. Was there anything about the campus that surprised you?
8. Any ideas about your future academic plans or focus?
9. What will your academic load be like next semester?
10. Academically, what has been the most interesting class or topic for you?
11. Can you think of anything we can do to help?
12. Are there any groups or organizations you are thinking of joining?
13. Have you been using any of the resources on campus?
14. Has there been any point in which you wanted to leave and just come home? Why? How did you overcome it?
15. How much of a shock is college life compared to high school?
16. Can you spot those who you know will succeed academically from those who are going to have difficulty?
17. What advice are you going to offer your [younger sibling, relative or friend] about what to do in preparation for college life?