Academics & Advising: Helping Your Student Achieve Success

Regardless of whether your student has declared a major or is still exploring options, the second year is a key time for academics and advising.

For many students, this is the time they begin to understand the value and interconnectedness of their courses, the importance of having meaningful faculty interactions, and the benefits of co-curricular and experiential learning activities.

And yet, there may be times of frustration and challenge. However, unlike first-year students, second-year students may be less inclined to ask for assistance.

Second-Year Stresses

While first-year students primarily focus their attention on connecting to their institution, second-year students are faced with connecting to a particular academic discipline. For some individuals, this task is easy. For others, it can be a time of uncertainty or feeling like they are headed in the wrong direction.

An academic advisor can help students define an area of academic study as well as assist with related second-year issues, including concerns that arise from:

• Feeling pressured to pick a major and minor
• Second-guessing the choice of a declared major and minor
• Questioning their own academic capabilities as coursework becomes more challenging
• Feeling insecure about being in class with juniors and seniors, who may have more advanced academic skills
• Questioning the relevance of coursework in their major
• Worrying about the future with regard to employment and graduate school acceptance

Meaningful Connections

Perhaps it is not surprising to learn that research shows there is a correlation between a second-year student's grade point average and having both a commitment to an academic major and engaging in productive faculty interaction.

At BW, students are asked to commit to an academic major by the end of their second year. This focus enables students to direct their coursework, experiential learning activities and co-curricular involvement to areas that will enable them to build their resumes, establish meaningful contacts, and acquire relevant insights and competencies over the next few years.

A student's academic advisor is a faculty member in the discipline declared by the student as a major. A faculty advisor helps a student select classes and suggests experiential learning opportunities. For many students, an academic advisor also can be a mentor, a reference for employment or graduate school, as well as someone who offers a listening ear during times of need.

Tips for Success

The following study practices can help a student succeed:

• Do not skip classes
• Pay attention to the expectations, teaching styles and grading methods of professors
• Learn ways to study effectively and efficiently
• Seek clarification from a professor if you misunderstand information in class or in the textbook
• If you are struggling in a course, make an appointment to talk with the professor and visit the Center for Academic Success and Achievement (CASA), if needed