Know your and your advisor's responsibilities?

    The student advisee is responsible for:

• knowing who their advisor is and how to contact him/her
• developing a collaborative relationship with the advisor
• scheduling advising appointments prior to registration or other deadlines
• being prepared for the advising appointment (knowing the purpose of the visit, what courses are being offered, having an idea of what courses they need and want to take, being able to discuss interests and goals with the advisors)
• familiarizing themselves with core requirements, program requirements, and graduation requirements
• consulting with their advisor before altering their outlined study plan (i.e. dropping or adding a course)
• consulting with their advisor if they are having academic difficulty
• consulting with their advisor if changing major, transferring to another institution, or withdrawing from the college
• meeting with their advisor at least once a semester in order to be released for registration (meeting more often will foster a collaborative relationship)
• asking questions and seeking help if he/she has issues or concerns
• becoming knowledgeable and able to make informed decisions
• accepting responsibility for the decisions she/he makes

Your advisor is responsible for:

• fostering the student’s sense of responsibility for his/her life-long educational goals;
• helping the student clarify educational values and goals;
• assisting the student in accessing available campus resources;
• providing accurate information about educational options, academic and graduation requirements, and institutional policies and procedures;
• helping the student plan and monitor their degree program consistent with his/her interests and abilities;
• guiding the progress of the student within a major field of study and/or with core requirements, and helping them to monitor and track their progress;
• providing assistance for career exploration or referring them to Career & Advising Services for this purpose;
• maintaining confidentiality
• developing a collaborative relationship with their advisee
• fostering the student’s decision-making skills and self-reliance

How many classes (credits) should I take?
     The typical course load for entering freshmen planning to attend full time is between 12 and 16 hours of credit each semester.  That would be approximately 4-5 classes per semester.  Full time for financial aid purposes is 12 credits.  Full time for those not receiving financial aid is 8 credits.  The course load best for you is going to depend on a variety of factors, such as other commitments, study skills, time management skills, and self-discipline. 

Remember:  For every hour you spend in class you need to plan on approximately 2 - 2 1/2 hours of time spent doing homework. 

What's the cutoff between Freshman, Sophomore, Junior and Senior?

Your academic level is calculated by the number of credits you have completed and does not include the number of credits you are currently enrolled in. 

     Freshmen - 0 - 25 completed credits
     Sophomores - 26 - 57 completed credits
     Juniors - 58 - 89 completed credits
     Seniors - 90+ completed credits

What should you do if you are having trouble in class?
Some of the most common problems are in the areas of time management, study skills, work conflicts and personal relationships.  If you are having trouble you should:

• Talk to your instructor
  Many problems can be solved in this manner.  You should be aware of what the requirements are for the course, what your instructor expects of you and where you stand in comparison.
• Identify college services
  There are numerous services on campus that can help you with a variety of academic and non-academic needs.  Academic support includes the Math and Natural Science Lab, Writing Lab, Learning Resource Center, Student Support Services, Health Center, Disability Services.  You can seek assistance for non-academic needs through the counseling center.
• Talk to your advisor.
  Your advisor is available to assist you in working out problems, suggesting alternatives, identifying services and making decisions.
• DO NOT IGNORE THE PROBLEM!
  Problems rarely go away by themselves and the longer you wait the harder they are to solve.  If you are unsure of what to do, contact your advisor!
• Have a question?  ASK!
  Career & Advising Services is here to help you succeed.  We are available to answer your questions Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and also during the summer!  Call (208) 792-2313 or email dlybyer@lcsc.edu.