The goal of the Advising Center Advisors is to assist students in becoming mature and independent thinkers capable of making solid choices. The first step in this process is teaching students how to handle their academic problems. For this reason, we require that students be the ones to contact our office for assistance. We are also required by law (FERPA) not to discuss a student's education records with anyone other than the student. However, we realize that parents desire to be and are a helpful part of their son or daughter's educational journey. This page is intended to give parents useful information so they can also help guide students. The first year is the most critical year for most students. You can play a major role in helping your student adjust to college life by staying informed as well. The following information provides important facts about ASU and useful links.
I. Keep up with important dates:
Important dates have a way of sneaking up on everyone!
Last Day to Drop/Add classes without financial assessment....August 31
Labor Day Holiday - No classes .............................................September 1
Midterm Exams......................................................................October 7 to October 13
Last day to drop a class or withdraw from the university ….....November 19
Fall Break - No Classes…….......................................................November 25-November 28
Final Examinations…………...................................................…December 8 to December 13
Commencement.....................................................................December 13
II.Note where to go for help: Encourage your student to use all the available resources at ASU. If a student knows that a subject will be difficult (such as algebra), the student should plan to incorporate tutoring into their weekly schedule from the start instead of waiting until they are behind in class. The following is a brief list of student resources.
Academic Advisor - Every student is assigned an academic advisor. Advisors are excellent academic resources for students who are struggling in a class or desire to know more about a major/career.
Career Services -This office provides information about part-time jobs, career search and placement strategies
Classroom Instructor - The first step for a student who is struggling in a course is to visit with the instructor of that course. Instructors know first hand what is expected in a course and what learning strategies work best for the course in question. This may be intimidating to students at first, but faculty desire to help students in their courses succeed. Students can meet with the instructor directly before or after class or during their office hours.
Counseling Center - It is not uncommon for first-year students (or any student) to struggle at sometime during college. The Counseling Center assists students with issues ranging from major/career selection to adjustment to college life.
Disability Services -Students with disabilities that disrupt their learning may apply for assistance with this office.
First-year Experience Instructor - All first-year, first-time students are enrolled in a Making Connections course. The instructor in this course is a reliable campus resource for a first-year student.
Residence Life - Students who live on campus and have questions or concerns regarding their living arrangements should contact this office.
Tutoring - Tutoring is available for Math, Science, Languages and Writing. Students struggling with these skills or needing general assistance can contact the Wilson Advising Center
Wilson Advising Center -The Wilson Advising Center advisors work with students who have not declared a major (undecided majors) or any student who has a general advising question.
III. Set realistic expectations: Encourage students to be realistic about the commitment it will take to complete a college education. These are some areas you may want to discuss with your student:
Minimize Personal Expenses: It is easy to get caught up in the latest cell phone plans and desires for other costly personal items. However, these luxury costs may leave students empty-handed when it comes time to buy the necessary texts and other supplies, seriously impacting their ability to be academically successful.
Minimize Necessary Work Hours: Understandably, many college students must hold a job while in college. However, balancing work and college can be tricky. Students just out of high school may glance at their college schedule and believe that they have many new hours to spare. Often they fail to realize that college is comparable to a full-time job. Students will spend many more hours outside of class than they did in high school to meet course requirements. Those who must work should evaluate what role work must play during their college years. What are the minimum hours necessary to maintain critical expenses? What hours of the week will the work demand? NOTE: Studies indicate that students who work 25 or fewer hours a week are more successful in completing a college degree than those who work over 25 hours per week.
Be Realistic about Your Schedule: Students are encouraged to create a traditional college schedule. This means to take 12 to 15 hours spread out across five days (M-F). It is very difficult on students when they "power pack" too many classes into just a few days of the week. Students are exhausted by the end of the day and find they are mentally or physically vacant for the last few classes. In addition, if a student misses a day of class, they miss all their classes. Students should work with their academic advisor to plan realistic course schedules.
Take Care of Your Business: Students have many new responsibilities when they start college. The college years provide the right environment for students to build decision-making and personal responsibility skills. One of the first skills students will learn is how to take care of their business. These tasks range from buying text books before class starts to stopping by Student Accounts to set up a payment plan. Attending class (on time) is one of the easiest jobs of college yet students misjudge the importance of this role. Students should make sure work, doctor appointments, and other personal tasks are scheduled around class time.
Parents interested in joining the First-Year Parent Association may email jsimons@astate.edu for more information.
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