Meeting with your advisor during the semester can have its benefits.  Discussing classes for the upcoming semester, discussion of class difficulties, and preparing for graduation may be a few common reasons for meeting with your advisor.

Meeting with your advisor when mid-term grades are posted can be one of the most impactful times to meet with your advisor.  Here’s why… 

• What are mid-term grades?  Advisors can have a conversation with their advisees regarding what mid-term grades are and the importance of these grades.

• Discuss mid-term grades for each class.  Students have the opportunity to discuss any class concerns or accolades with their advisor.

• Options for difficulties with one class.  Students can discuss how they are approaching a class…what is working well, what is not working well, what changes need to be made.

• Take action if you are having difficulties with a class.  Advisors can discuss dropping a class or finding a second block class as an alternate solution.

• Policy reminders.  Some students may need to be reminded during this time of certain policies that the university is enforcing (needed grades, GPA, etc.).

• Resources, resources, resources.  This is a great time to discuss study strategies for their classes by bringing in supportive resources to help with their success moving forward.

• Talk to your professor.  Mid-term grades prompt students to reach out to their professor regarding questions with grades or strategies with moving forward.

• Reassurance – there is still hope.  Sometimes students need reassurance that it is not too late to be successful in their course.

(submitted by Kim Stagner, Coordinator of Student Success Initiatives, Academic Advising and Transfer Center)