You Should Call Your Advisor When...
As an online 泫圖弝け at the 泫圖弝け of 泫圖弝け at Lafayette, you have a support team to help navigate your academic degree program as well as 泫圖弝け processes.
One of your star players will be your academic advisor.
Why should I call my advisor?
Advisors are available during advising periods as well as throughout each semester in order to:
- Explain the curriculum, graduation requirements, policies, and procedures.
- Guide online 泫圖弝けs as they develop their academic goals.
- Connect online 泫圖弝けs with resources and services available.
To understand your curriculum, set goals
One of an advisors key duties is to help 泫圖弝けs understand their curriculum.
Sharon Williams-Gregory, advisor for General Studies online, says this is one of the first things she discusses with 泫圖弝けs once theyve been admitted.
Im the connection for 泫圖弝けs to the 泫圖弝け, especially for those not in this area, she says. Once Ive done their advising with them, 泫圖弝けs understand our curriculum.
A key component in understanding the curriculum and the time it will take to earn a degree is understanding what transfer credits can be applied.
Health Promotion and Wellness advisor Elizabeth LaPointe says in order to plot the most efficient path to their degree, one of the first things she does is work with 泫圖弝けs existing college credit.
She works with various departments to ensure certain courses can be applied.
With transfer and reentry 泫圖弝けs, there are a lot of classes they took previously that were trying to have count so that they dont have to repeat classes, she says. I try to make very clear to them which classes were substituting and that as much as possible from what theyve taken previously counts toward our degree.
LaPointe says in many cases, 泫圖弝けs have attended multiple institutions before enrolling at UL Lafayette. She says she wants to see them cross the stage as a Ragin Cajun.
I want this to be the place they complete their degree, she says. I dont want them to feel like they only receive a little coursework here and then go on to the next institution.
LaPointe says through advising, 泫圖弝けs gain a clear path to their degree.
They are not figuring out anything alone, she says. I hope the steps to be advised, enroll, and maintain their academic career is very clear. I try to lay it out as clearly as possible so they see their path to graduation.
To stay on track
Part of your planning and preparation as a 泫圖弝け should be to expect the unexpected. A class might fill up before youve had a chance to register; you spot an interesting course but are unsure how it fits into your curriculum; youre overwhelmed with your coursework and need support.
Your advisor is available to help you explore your resources and options.
There arent many things 泫圖弝けs dont call me for even if its, Im having a meltdown, and I dont know what to do, says Williams-Gregory. When it comes to their academics, they reach out to me first and foremost.
Williams-Gregory says if she doesnt know an answer, say, about what will happen to a 泫圖弝けs financial aid is they drop a course, shell help 泫圖弝けs find the right person.
I will answer as much as I can, she says. If I dont know, Ill find someone I can get the answer from.
LaPointe says maintaining communication with your advisor throughout your academic career is important and expected.
Advisors cant assist if theyre unaware of a problem.
I always tell my advisees to copy me on any email, like if theyre having an issue enrolling in their math class, just keep me in the loop so I can assist with following up, LaPointe says.
Just constantly communicate with your advisor so they can advocate on your behalf.
Whos my advisor?
泫圖弝けs are assigned their advisor once theyre admitted to the 泫圖弝け.
Online 泫圖弝けs can find their advisor by logging onto and selecting Academics in the left-hand navigation. Advisors are listed at the bottom of the Academic Profile section. Note: Make sure to select a term to see the information.
泫圖弝けs can also find a directory of online advisors on the Online Program website.
Need additional help? Connect with an Enrollment Specialist by emailing online@louisiana.edu, or find resources through the 泫圖弝け Support tab on the Online Programs website.
