Douglas Clayton Smith |
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126 Grise Hall
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Phone: (270) 745-3750
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Office Hours: By appointment |
The goal of academic advising is to help you shape a meaningful education for yourself. The elements of that education include your classes, your co-curricular activities, your work, and your personal experiences. You need to actively plan your academic life, and discuss those plans with me in a series of conversations that extend over your undergraduate career so that we can work to make sure you get what you want out of WKU.
This syllabus outlines what you can expect from me, and what I expect of you, as well as key issues that are relevant to you as you work your way through the university. Use it as a resource and guide, and refer to it as you and I continue to talk about your life at WKU.
Provide accurate, timely, and useful information about the curriculum, resources, opportunities, requirements, policies, and procedures | |
Provide a safe space for you to share your thoughts, aspirations, concerns, and interests | |
Listen carefully to your concerns and respect your individual values and choices | |
Keep anything we talk about confidential | |
Encourage and support you as you gain the skills and knowledge necessary for success | |
Help you in making course and major decisions but not to decide for you. | |
Inform you of the range and scope of experiences available to you | |
Communicate what decisions you should make at each stage of your academic career. | |
Help you make connections between your experiences, both within and beyond the curriculum | |
Be accessible for individual advising appointments requested in advance and for email communication |
Keep in contact with me by email and regularly scheduled one-on-one advising appointments | |
Come to appointments prepared with questions and/or topics to discuss after having done some reflection and checking of available resources | |
Turn off your cell phone while we are meeting. | |
Reflect on the connections between your experiences, both within and beyond the curriculum | |
Accept responsibility for your decisions and actions. Understand that today's decisions may limit possible alternatives later. | |
Become knowledgeable of college programs, policies, procedures, and opportunities as appropriate | |
Be courteous and plan ahead (schedule appointments early and cancel or reschedule if necessary). | |
Regularly check your university email address. This is the only email account that the University will use to contact you. | |
When you email faculty or staff, be professional. Be sure to explain questions and requests clearly. Please be sure to sign your name and include your student number. | |
Learn to read your iCAP report | |
Develop an academic plan (including your progress and goals) and discuss that plan with me. | |
Promptly inform me of any changes and/or concerns with your plan | |
Establish relationships with faculty and other mentors on campus | |
Initiate a continuing evaluation of the advisor-advisee relationship. As you develop more clearly defined educational and occupational goals, you may change advisors, perhaps several times. Thus, you and I must assess the extent to which the advising relationship is meeting your needs and goals. |
WKU Advising and Retention Center: http://www.wku.edu/advising
WKU Student Handbook: http://www.wku.edu/handbook/current/
Western Kentucky University Undergraduate Catalog: http://www.wku.edu/coursecatalog/
The Learning Center: http://www.wku.edu/tlc/
Career Services Center: http://www.wku.edu/career/
ALIVE Center: http://www.alivebg.org/
WKU Study Abroad Programs: http://www.wku.edu/studyabroad/
As you advance through your degree program, there will be decisions you must make about your goals and objectives. Keep in mind that you may need to adjust your initial plans as you progress through your degree. For some students, those decisions and adjustments come early in the college career, but most students need time to gain perspective and to figure things out. Different students may reach these milestones at different points in their academic career. When you want to talk through your evolving academic plans, I am here to help. Just make an appointment.
Here are some things you probably want to consider as you move from your first year to your last year:
First-Year (0-29 credits)Progress Toward DegreeAdjust to the College Environment
Examine Your Skills, Interests and Values
Explore your academic and career interests
Increase your personal, communication and leadership skills
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Sophomore Year (30-59 credits)Progress Toward DegreeExplore Your Options
Then
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Junior Year (60-89 credits)Progress Toward Your DegreeImplement Your Decision
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Senior Year (90-128 credits)Progress Toward Your DegreePrepare for Life After Graduation
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