48 THE QUEENS COURIER • COLLEGE • JANUARY 14, 2016 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com COLLEGE ADVICE FROM THE EXPERT BY TRESA ERICKSON In a few months you’ll be headed off to college and one of the most important people you’ll meet there is your academic advisor. While a number of avenues are available for students seeking general assistance, academic advisors are the number one resource for help with the selection of courses. To get where you need to be in your degree program and to stay on track, you should meet with your academic advisor periodically. Most colleges and universities assign students an academic advisor in their fi eld of interest and encourage them to meet with their advisor prior to enrollment each semester. Some colleges and universities in fact require students to obtain their advisor’s signature on enrollment forms, so it’s important that you take the time to meet with your advisor long before enrollment starts. Once you have been assigned an advisor, arrange to meet with them as soon as possible. Keep in mind that advisors have other duties and students to attend to, so fi nd out when their offi ce hours are and stop by then. Do not drop by unannounced or uninvited at some other time. Chances are your advisor won’t be around, and if they are, they won’t appreciate you barging in on them. If you cannot meet with your advisor during their offi ce hours, call to set up an appointment with them. Use the fi rst meeting with your advisor to introduce yourself and fi nd out about your advisor’s interests. Discuss your career goals with them and make sure the two of you are on the same wavelength. Should you experience a personality clash or get the feeling that your advisor is too busy to help you, don’t be afraid to request a new advisor. Not all teachers are cut out to be advisors and it is not uncommon for a student to make such a request. To get the most from subsequent meetings with your advisor, always come prepared and be open to their suggestions. If enrolling, bring all paperwork with you, including a class schedule and a course catalog, and have some idea of the classes you’d like to take. Don’t show up with nothing and expect your advisor to do the work for you. Be realistic about your abilities-can you really handle 18 hours-and pay attention to what your advisor has to say. Remember, they have already been to college, they have years of experience in the fi eld and they know the classes offered at their college or university well. If they feel like you would benefi t more from taking 15 hours rather than 18 and switching one of your classes to a different teacher, then they are probably right. Advisors may shift throughout your college life, as your major changes or faculty members come and go. You should receive notice of any change in advisors from your college or university. Don’t be surprised if the advisor you are assigned in the beginning is not the one you end up with by the end of your senior year. Remember, advisors are there to help you, so use them. Don’t try to tackle everything on your own if you don’t have to. Meet with them occasionally to ensure you are on the right track, listen to what they have to say and don’t hesitate to bring any other career concerns to their attention. Chances are if they don’t have the answer, they will know where you can fi nd it. What to Ask at a College Open House As you go on your many college tours and visits this winter and spring, it’s important that you ask the right questions to learn the most you can about each institution. It can be difficult to keep track of all the important facts you gather, but if you follow these Top Five Questions to Ask you’ll be on your way to choosing the perfect college in no time. Ask about what it’s like to study your major at their college. No matter what your major is, it’s important to know what each college’s individual program offers. For example, if you’re majoring in Medical Assisting, a college with specialized laboratories, professors that actually work in the healthcare field, and a program that includes an externship experience would be the best choice for you. Also find out if you will earn any certifications as part of the program – and whether the fees to do so are included in your tuition and fee. Ask to see a classroom. Most open houses include a campus tour, and this is extremely important! You’ll want to check out what technology and equipment is available to students, if there are specialized rooms for specialized majors (ie: a medical records lab for Health Information Technology majors, a clinical lab for Medical Assisting majors, etc.), and how well the campus is maintained. Ask about the academic resources. Included in your tuition will, of course, be your classes and office hours with your professors, but what if you need academic assistance beyond that? Find out about any tutoring services, academic sessions and seminars, and personalized advising that is available. Don’t forget to ask if these services are an additional charge, or better yet – available at no charge to you! This is also a great time to ask about the institution’s certification exam pass rates, graduation rates, and any other specific academic questions you may have. Ask what else is available. A vibrant student life can be extremely beneficial – honor societies, clubs, and organizations are a great booster for your resume and provide exceptional networking opportunities. Colleges with Career Services Departments have dedicated staff members that will help you build your cover letter and resume and look for that perfect job upon graduation. Just because they have it doesn’t mean it’s successful, so don’t forget to ask about their placement rates, too. Ask about financial aid. There are many types of financial aid available to students who qualify – state grants, federal grants, scholarships, and loans. You’ll want to take advantage of all that you qualify for, so choosing a college that has dedicated financial aid advisors that not only assist you in finding out what you can access, but also help you fill out those complicated documents, can make all the difference. Don’t forget. When you go on a college tour, you’re trying to gather more information about the institution, but they’re also gathering information on you. Be friendly, show interest and enthusiasm, and take notes so you remember all of the important information you’ve gathered. Plus, to ensure you visit a college that meets all of your needs (and more!), tour Plaza College’s award-winning campus during the Winter Open House on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. (118-33 Queens Blvd., Forest Hills). To RSVP, call 718-878-3829.
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