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Advising Skills
Overview
While you will receive more in-depth training on advising skills and issues at the retreat and the monthly meetings, it is important that you begin with the following in mind.
Peer Advisors have the opportunity and responsibility to assist students in a professional manner and with an attitude of service.
There are Five Basic Rules of Advising that are important to understand from the very beginning and continually applied throughout your experience as a Peer Advisor.
- Provide accurate information.
- Don't make decisions for your advisee.
- Be a good listener.
- Make effective referrals.
- Be nice.
Peer Advisors are a valuable asset and resource for the University and its students. Simply put, a Peer Advisor is...
- A fellow student who is approachable and has the ability to communicate with others.
- Someone who helps another, in their major or department, plan a course schedule or navigate the services which work with the student's other commitments, such as a job, family responsibilities, etc.
- Someone who has experience in finding and choosing coursework and services that will help students work toward their goals and is willing to share their knowledge with other students.
- Someone who has the knowledge to answer a student's questions accurately and in an approachable and friendly manner.
- Someone who understands a student's concerns, because he or she has dealt with similar circumstances.
- Someone who assists the professional advisor, faculty advisor, or program coordinator with advising-related activities.
Other helpful information includes:
You will need to have access to this link listed above to complete this module.
Exploration
Talk with your departmental supervisor about what skills and attributes are important for Advisors and Peer Advisors to develop. Discuss the Five Rules of Advising above as well as the Best Practices outlined in the Peer Advising Program Handbook that you received at the New Peer Advising Meeting.