First-Year Experience

What is academic advising?
Academic advising is a process where you obtain the critical information you need to make thoughtful decisions about your college career. This can include information about your major, career goals, elective courses, graduation requirements, etc. Students too often rely on what they hear from other students to make academic decisions. Sometimes this information is based on rumor or the misinterpretation of College policies.

Avoid the risk of receiving bad information by going to a source who knows: your academic adviser. Among other things, your academic adviser guides you in your selection of courses and provides accurate information about College policies and procedures. The advising relationship depends upon active participation from you and your academic adviser. Just like any relationship, it takes respect, participation, and time to make the most of it!

Academic Advising Mission
Advising supports the College mission to provide a foundation for life-long learning and to prepare students for citizenship and service in a global community; in so doing, advising contributes to the development of student character, intellect, and aesthetic appreciation. The mission of academic advising is to promote student learning through meaningful student engagement with faculty and staff both in and outside of the classroom.

Goals of First-Year Academic Advising

• Aid students in the transition from high school
• Facilitate the process of students' selection of a major degree program
• Guide students in becoming engaged and fulfilled members of the Ithaca College community
• Encourage students' reflection on their pursuit of intellectual challenges

You can use your academic advising meeting to help with…

• Developing an eductional plan
• Discovering decision-making strategies
• Discussing academic success
• Creating an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of faculty and students within the advising relationship