Academic Advising
Academic advising is a critical component in your success as a student at Penn State. Your academic adviser is a professional whose primary responsibility is to guide you as you progress through your degree program. Your adviser will help you clarify your goals and plan your academic path, make recommendations for courses, and help you with referrals should you need additional support. Your working relationship with your adviser can and should be one that motivates, encourages, and inspires you to great academic success.
Role of the Adviser and Advisee
As you begin this relationship, it's important to understand the different roles that you and your adviser will fill. It's important to remember that this is your degree, so you're responsible for your academic decisions and choices. Your adviser will guide you, make suggestions, and help you analyze your academic choices as new life circumstances pop up, but ultimately, the decisions are yours.
More specifically, your adviser's role is to help you understand your academic program and its requirements, and to advise you on any issues or concerns related to your major. Your adviser will help you explore opportunities for research, internships, and other types of engaged scholarship activities. Your adviser will also be your advocate, cheerleader, support person, and sometimes the person who challenges your decisions with different perspectives.
Military-Specific Information
Information pertaining specifically to military students can be found at Advising, Disability & Academic Support.