How can you make the most of an advising relationship?

1. Develop your social, academic and career goals and examine how these goals will affect your life.
2. Become familiar with Career Exploration Services and the other resources at USU and discuss your long range goals, career opportunities and the selection of a major or minor with career counselors, faculty, your academic advisor and the other resource people.
3. Keep current on academic policies, procedures and requirements by reviewing the current catalog, schedule of classes and major requirement sheets.
4. Know basic University, college and departmental graduation requirements of a chosen major or minor well enough to plan your own progress toward completion of these requirements.
5. Accept responsibility for your decisions.
6. Maintain personal copies of a tentative degree plan, progress reports, general educational evalutations until an official graduation application is processed.
7. Know your advisor. (For information and assistance, contact your academic department, your college academic service center or the University Academic Service Center in TSC 302.)
8. Seek help from your advisor when needed.
9. See that any academic records from other universities are transferred and received by the Admissions Office for evaluation.

• Use your time and energy wisely. Difficult choices will have to be made: daily chores often can wait, while studying cannot.
• Feeling guilty about the time you spend in classes and studying depletes energy. Believe that you and your goals have worth, and the people with whom you are close will believe that, too.
• Keep your dreams, but set realistic short-term objectives that don't overwhelm you.
• Be persistent. At times you may wonder what you are doing and why you are doing it. That's normal.
• Make friends with classmates. Start small study groups when appropriate. When you make the effort, perceived barriers can disappear and friendships can begin. Exchange phone numbers with classmates in case you can't attend class and need to know what went on.
• Search for academic advisors supportive of your goals. While this takes time and effort, it is worth the time saved in meeting degree requirements and in obtaining future job references.
• Spend time with those who support your educational goals. It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the demands of school, especially at finals time. A core of friends and family members who encourage you, can ease this stress.
• Join organizations that are connected with your major and whose members share similar interest. Participate in campus activities. Attend lectures and concerts. Make an effort to become a part of the university community in more ways than just attending classes.
• Remember that attending the university need not be all work. It is a time to explore ideas, to engage in philosophical discussions, to meet a diverse population of people whom you would otherwise probably never meet, to be exposed to some of the best dance, music, art, film and theater available and to be in contact with lively, creative minds. There is a multitude of recreational oportunities. So take time to have fun!
• Get to know the library resource people. They will direct you to references and guides that will save you research time.
• Try to plan class schedules to avoid crossing the campus several times a day.