Did you know that there is a counselor or advisor available to answer any questions you may have regarding academic advisement?
- "What classes are necessary for an A.A. degree?"
- "What's the difference between an A.A. and A.S.?"
- "Do I have to take placement testing?"
- "Do I need a foreign language to graduate?"
- "Will my degree transfer to a university?"
- "Will any two sciences meet the requirements for my intended major?"
Academic Advisement Suggestions
Students are encouraged to do the following to help themselves in the process of receiving good academic advisement:
- Establish a goal for yourself at Richland Community College. This may be an associates degree to transfer to a four-year college, a certificate to gain employment, courses to improve skills for a promotion, or study to develop writing or math competence. Students without goals are difficult to advise.
- Research careers to find one appropriate for you. This research should include reference books and computers in Career Services, speaking with Richland Community College staff familiar with a variety of occupations, and meeting with employers at their work sites to observe jobs of interest. Students who can avoid frequently changing their career goal will find their academic advisement to be more consistent.
- Identify the four-year college to which you plan to transfer. As with careers, students who frequently change their choice of senior colleges will create complications in academic advisement. Different four-year colleges have different course requirements, even within the same major.
- Select an advisor with whom you are comfortable and confident. Students who change advisors without regard to their familiarity with your background and career goal may receive inconsistent academic advisement. If you are satisfied with an advisor, stay with that person throughout your years at Richland Community College. Learn more about choosing an advisor.
- Make academic advisement a priority. Advisement should not be viewed as an obstacle to overcome the day before classes begin. Students should meet with their advisor on a regular basis to discuss their academic or career issues. Advanced planning with your advisor may allow you to avoid problems, such as closed classes, non-transferable courses, or graduation delay. Academic advisement is an important part of attending college, and should be treated as such.
Preparing for Advisement
- Are you prepared for your appointment? It is your responsibility to think through your course selections before meeting with your counselor or advisor.
- Have you taken relevant college placement tests?
- Have you checked your progress towards your degree or certificate by obtaining a program sheet and completing it to see where you are?
- If you are transferring from another institution, have you had transcripts sent?
- Have you requested that transcripts from another institution be evaluated from the Records Office?
- Have you identified the courses you want to take?
- Have you made use of the internet system, WISE - I to view your progress?
- Are you aware of the courses that may not be offered every semester?
- Have you taken needed prerequisite courses?
- Do you know which is your catalog for graduation?
- Do you know which courses you have left to graduate?
- Are you familiar with the requirements of the college or university where you expect to transfer?
Still need help? Contact Counseling Services or submit a Request Academic Advising form online and a counselor will contact you.
