Advising Information for Students
The Mass Communications Advising Website is designed to streamline the department's advising process and offer general information about advising in the department. Successful advising requires active participation from students. Come to advising appointments prepared with questions, your academic plan, and knowledge of your degree requirements. Review your degree audit before meetings, understand registration dates and procedures, and communicate proactively with your advisor about academic challenges, goals, or changes in your plans.
Take ownership of your academic journey while utilizing your advisor as a knowledgeable guide and resource. Login and review your fillable audit sheet often to help navigate your college journey.
Your Responsibilities in the Advising Relationship
Advising is a partnership, but you are the primary decision-maker and owner of your education. Your advisor provides expertise, guidance, and support, but cannot and should not make decisions for you. Taking responsibility for your academic progress includes staying informed about requirements, meeting deadlines, and actively engaging with your advisor throughout your time at VSU. Understanding your responsibilities ensures you get the most value from advising:
Knowing Your Degree Requirements: You are responsible for understanding the courses, credit hours, and standards required for your degree. Your advisor can explain requirements and help you interpret your degree audit, but you must ultimately ensure you complete all requirements before graduation.
Meeting Deadlines: You must track and meet all university deadlines for registration, add/drop, withdrawal, graduation applications, and other academic processes. Missing deadlines can affect your academic progress, financial aid, and graduation timeline.
Scheduling Appointments: Contact your advisor to schedule appointments well in advance of registration periods and whenever you have questions or concerns. Waiting until the last minute may mean your advisor cannot accommodate you before critical deadlines.
Coming Prepared: Review your degree audit, prepare questions, and bring relevant information to appointments. Productive advising sessions require your preparation and active participation.
Following Through: Complete action items discussed during advising appointments, such as researching programs, submitting forms, or contacting other offices. Your advisor can guide you, but you must take the necessary steps.
Communicating Honestly: Share accurate information about your academic performance, goals, challenges, and circumstances. Your advisor can provide better guidance when they understand your complete situation.
Seeking Help Early: Contact your advisor when challenges arise, not after they become crises. Early intervention provides more options and better outcomes.
Graduation: Your advisor cannot truly tell you when you will
graduate since so many factors depend on you but by keeping your audit sheet up to date and reviewing often will provide you some general idea.
Preparing for Advising Appointments
Preparation transforms advising appointments from transactional meetings into strategic planning sessions. Students who prepare thoroughly get more personalized guidance and make better use of both their time and their advisor's expertise. Taking time to prepare demonstrates your commitment to your education and enables deeper, more productive conversations. Before your appointment, complete these preparation steps:
Review Your Degree Audit: Access your degree audit through both the
Mass Communications Advising Website and student portal and examine your progress. Identify completed requirements, courses in progress, and remaining needs. Note any questions or concerns about how courses are applying to requirements. The Mass Communications Advising Website is designed to streamline the advising process and target the department's students specifically in advising.
Check Your Academic Standing: Know your current GPA, both overall and in your major. Understand whether you're in good standing or on probation. Review your grades from recent semesters and identify patterns of strength or concern.
Research Potential Courses: Look at course offerings for upcoming semesters. Read course descriptions, note prerequisites, and identify courses that interest you or fulfill requirements. Come to your appointment with a preliminary course list to discuss. Have the courses that you wish to take from your advising discovery ready for your advisor to review with you in the appointment. Please follow these steps before your appointment:
- Review your audit sheet on both the Mass Communications Advising Website
- Make a note of the courses that are not filled in on your audit sheet
- Make a determination about whether you are ready to take specific course (s) based on prerequisites, etc.
- Select 15 credit hours each semester to move you closer to your graduation goals. If you do not need 15 credit hours left to graduate consider the courses that are left to take on the audit sheet. You must take at least 12 hours each semester to be considered a full time student and not doing so could impact your financial aid status.
- Bring your course selections with you to the advising appointment for an evaluation with your advisor.
- Each time you add or drop or withdraw from a course be sure to enter it on your fillable audit sheet by logging into the Mass Communications Advising Website and notify your advisor by email. Register early to get the courses that you need for the following
Prepare Questions: Write down specific questions about degree requirements, course selection, policies, opportunities, or concerns. Specific questions like "What are the prerequisites for the advanced research seminar?" generate more helpful responses than vague questions like "What should I take?"
Gather Relevant Information: Bring your degree audit, unofficial transcript, course schedule, and any forms or documents relevant to your appointment. Having information readily available speeds up the appointment and ensures accuracy.
Consider Your Goals: Think about your academic and career goals. Be ready to discuss how your course selections and academic plans align with your aspirations. Your advisor can provide more tailored guidance when they understand your objectives.
Questions to Ask Your Advisor
Asking thoughtful questions helps you extract maximum value from advising appointments. Different stages of your academic journey call for different questions, but all students benefit from proactive inquiry. The most effective questions are specific, forward-looking, and focused on understanding rather than simply seeking validation for decisions you've already made. Consider asking:
About Degree Requirements: - Am I on track to graduate on time? - What requirements do I still need to complete? - How do electives fit into my degree plan? - Are there any prerequisite chains I should be aware of? - What courses fulfill multiple requirements?
About Course Selection: - Which courses should I prioritize next semester? - What is the typical sequence for my major? - Should I take certain courses together? - How challenging is the course load I'm considering? - Are there alternatives if my preferred course is full?
About Academic Planning: - Should I consider a minor, and if so, which ones complement my major? - When should I start thinking about internships or research opportunities? - How can I strengthen my preparation for graduate school or my intended career? - Are there study abroad programs relevant to my major?
About Academic Progress: - How is my GPA affecting my academic standing? - What resources can help me improve my academic performance? - Should I adjust my course load based on my recent performance? - How can I recover from a difficult semester?
About Policies and Procedures: - What are the deadlines for adding, dropping, or withdrawing from courses? - How does repeating a course affect my GPA? - What are the requirements for applying to graduate? - How do I request accommodations or extensions?
Information to Bring to Appointments
Having relevant information readily available during appointments makes your meeting more efficient and ensures your advisor has accurate data to inform recommendations. Advisors can access many systems during meetings, but you should still bring key documents and information. Come to appointments with:
Your Degree Audit: Either printed or accessible on your device from the Mass Communications Advising Website. Know how to navigate it and locate specific sections.
Your Class Schedule: Current semester schedule and any future semester plans you've been developing.
Course Catalog or Course List: Identify courses you're interested in taking. Have course numbers and titles ready.
Questions and Notes: Written list of questions you want to address. Take notes during the meeting to remember advice and action items. Relevant Forms: If you're requesting a major change, advisor change, or other action requiring paperwork, bring the appropriate forms and/or download from the Mass Communications Advising Website.
Important Dates: Know registration dates for upcoming semesters and other relevant deadlines.
Understanding Your Degree Audit
Your degree audit is the most important tool for tracking your progress toward graduation. Learning to read and interpret your audit enables you to plan effectively and identify issues early. While your advisor can explain your audit, you should develop the ability to review it independently between appointments.
Accessing Your Audit: Log into the Mass Communications Advising Website and/or student portal (myVSU) and navigate to the degree audit section. Your audit is updated after each semester when grades are posted by the Registrar. Your fillable audit on the Mass Communications Website is updated as you have entered in courses or your advisor. The Mass Communications Website would offer an immediate, real time and quick review of your academic journey.
Reading Your Audit: The audit organizes requirements into categories such as general education, major requirements, and electives. Completed courses appear with grades and credit hours. Courses in progress show current enrollment. Unfulfilled requirements list the courses or criteria you still need to meet.
Understanding Symbols and Status: Learn what different symbols mean (completed, in progress, needs, etc.). Pay attention to GPA requirements, minimum grades required, and credit hour totals.
Identifying Problems: Red flags include courses that didn't apply as expected, unmet prerequisites, or requirements with no clear path to completion. Bring these issues to your advisor immediately.
Planning Ahead: Use your audit to project future semesters. Work backward from your graduation date to determine how many courses you need each semester and in what sequence.
Communication Expectations
Effective communication with your advisor requires understanding appropriate channels, response times, and professional norms. Your advisor manages multiple students and responsibilities, so respectful, clear communication ensures your needs are met while respecting their time and other commitments.
Email Communication: Email is typically the best way to initiate contact with your advisor. Use your VSU email address, include a clear subject line, write professionally, and provide necessary context.
Advisors typically respond within 1-2 business days during regular semesters. If your matter is urgent, indicate this politely in your message.
Office Hours: Many advisors maintain regular office hours when students can drop in without appointments. These are ideal for quick questions that don't require extensive review of your records.
Appointments: For course planning, degree audits, or complex issues, schedule formal appointments. These ensure your advisor has dedicated time to focus on your needs and can prepare by reviewing your records. Response Time: Allow reasonable response time for email inquiries, typically 2-3 business days. If you haven't heard back within this timeframe, send a polite follow-up. During peak advising periods (before registration), responses may take longer.
Emergency Situations: If you have a true emergency affecting your academic standing, contact your advisor directly and also contact the Department of Mass Communications for immediate assistance (804) 524-5000.
When to Schedule Appointments
Strategic timing of advising appointments ensures you get guidance when you need it most. While you should maintain regular contact with your advisor throughout each semester, certain times are particularly important for scheduling appointments:
Before Each Registration Period: Meet with your advisor at least two weeks before your registration date to plan your schedule, confirm course availability, and have your advising hold removed. Waiting until days before registration limits your options if courses fill.
When Facing Academic Difficulty: Schedule an appointment as soon as you realize you're struggling in a course. Early intervention provides more options than waiting until you've already failed exams or fallen too far behind.
When Considering Major Changes: If you're thinking about changing majors, talk to your advisor early in the process. Understanding the implications helps you make informed decisions before officially changing.
Before Important Deadlines: Meet with your advisor before withdrawal deadlines, graduation application deadlines, or other critical dates to ensure you understand requirements and procedures.
After Receiving Grades: If your semester grades are concerning or represent a significant change in your performance, meet with your advisor to discuss strategies and resources.
When Planning for Graduation: In the semester before you plan to graduate, meet with your advisor to review your degree audit thoroughly and ensure you'll meet all requirements.
What Advisors Can and Cannot Do
Understanding the scope of advising helps you have realistic expectations and seek appropriate resources for different needs. Your advisor has expertise and authority in specific areas but cannot address every issue you might face.
What Advisors Can Do: - Explain degree requirements and help you interpret your degree audit - Recommend appropriate courses based on your progress and interests - Remove advising holds to allow registration - Connect you with campus resources for academic support, career planning, or personal challenges - Provide guidance on major selection, minor options, and academic planning - Help you understand academic policies and procedures - Assist with course selection and schedule planning - Offer perspective on graduate school preparation or career paths. Ultimately, the student is responsible for your academic journey and should take ownership.
What Advisors Cannot Do: - Override course prerequisites or enrollment restrictions without appropriate approvals - Guarantee admission to specific courses or programs - Make decisions for you about majors, courses, or academic plans - Provide counseling for personal or mental health issues (though they can refer you to the Counseling Center) - Change university policies or requirements to accommodate your preferences - Intervene in grade disputes without following proper appeal procedures - Register for courses on your behalf (you must complete your own registration).
Making the Most of Advising
Maximizing the value of advising requires approaching it as an ongoing relationship rather than an occasional transaction. Students who engage regularly with their advisors, follow through on recommendations, and maintain open communication experience better outcomes and greater satisfaction with their college experience. To make the most of advising:
Build a Relationship: Introduce yourself to your advisor early, not just when you need something. Advisors provide better guidance when they know you as an individual.
Be Proactive: Don't wait for your advisor to reach out. Take initiative in scheduling appointments and seeking guidance.
Follow Advice: If you ask for your advisor's recommendation and then don't follow it, explain why. Advisors provide better guidance when they understand your decision-making process.
Track Your Own Progress: Don't rely entirely on your advisor to monitor your degree progress. Develop the habit of reviewing your own audit regularly.
Ask Follow-Up Questions: If you don't understand something your advisor explains, ask for clarification. Your understanding matters more than getting through the appointment quickly.
Report Back: Let your advisor know how things work out, especially after implementing their suggestions. This feedback helps them advise you better in the future.
After Advising Appointments
What you do after advising appointments is as important as the appointments themselves. Follow through on action items, implement recommendations, and maintain momentum toward your goals. After each appointment:
Review Your Notes: As soon as possible after the appointment, review what you discussed and any recommendations your advisor made.
Complete Action Items: If you were asked to research programs, contact other offices, submit forms, or take other steps, do so promptly. Delays can result in missed opportunities or deadlines.
Register for Courses: Once your advising hold is lifted, register for courses as soon as your registration window opens. Desirable courses fill quickly.
Follow Up if Needed: If you encounter obstacles implementing the plan you discussed, or if your situation changes, contact your advisor rather than abandoning the plan.
Mark Your Calendar: Note when you should schedule your next appointment, when critical deadlines are approaching, or when you should follow up on pending items.
Advisor Course Recommendations: Your advisor only makes course recommendations and ultimately the final choice on whether to take a course or not or follow the plan is yours to make. If after you leave your advising session and do not follow your advisor recommendation for courses then that will be your sole responsibility. If you make any other changes your advisor should be notified immediately to offer advice on navigating your new choice (s) in course selections or plan of action. Failure to do so could result in a setback in reaching your goals.
When to Seek Additional Support Resources
Your advisor is an excellent first point of contact for most academic matters, but some situations require specialized support. Understanding when to seek additional resources ensures you get the most appropriate help.
Contact specialized offices for:
Academic Support and Tutoring: If you're struggling with course content, study skills, or time management, contact the Academic Support Center or tutoring services in addition to discussing strategies with your advisor.
Career Planning and Job Search: While your advisor can discuss career paths in your field, Career Services provides specialized support for resume' development, interview preparation, internship searches, and job placement.
Mental Health Concerns: If you're experiencing anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges affecting your academic performance, contact the Counseling Center at (804) 524-5939.
Financial Issues: For questions about financial aid, scholarships, payment plans, or emergency financial assistance, contact the Financial Aid Office at (804) 524-5990 or Student Accounts.
Disability Accommodations: If you need academic accommodations due to a disability, register with Disability Support Services, which coordinates appropriate accommodations with your instructors.
Your advisor may be able to help you navigate these resources but the specialized offices have expertise and services specifically designed for these needs.
Questions?
For general advising questions please navigate the Mass Communications Advising Website. Or you may schedule an appointment with your advisor or contact the following:
The Department of Mass Communications Phone: (804) 524-5000 Office Hours: Monday--Friday, 8:30 AM--5:00 PM
Your academic success depends on your engagement with advising. Take advantage of this valuable resource throughout your time at VSU.