Sun Star | Story

	Academic Advising Center helps students start off on the right track
	Staff Report For the Sun Star

	Students who registered over the summer or were advised by phone, probably spoke with an advisor from the Academic Advising Center. Located in 509 Gruening, the professionals in the Academic Advising Center are dedicated to helping students find the answers to questions about degree requirements, class scheduling, study skills, placement testing, and academic issues in general. As classes start, they invite all students to stop by with any questions about their schedule. It’s always better to double check your schedule with an advisor rather than make the assumption that your schedule is OK. During the busy registration period at the beginning of the semester, the Academic Advising Center prefers that students drop by the center for advising, especially if you have a quick question concerning adding or dropping courses. Appointments will still be available for in-depth advising concerning academic exploration, credit for prior learning, or other, less time-sensitive needs. Appointments can be made online at www.uaf.edu/advising/ Besides offering advice, the Academic Advising Center helps students with all facets of their academic lives. They offer several different computer programs designed to help students decide on a major and career field. They also offer SkillsBank, a computer program to help students brush up on math, science, reading and writing before taking a placement test or starting a course. The Academic Advising Center's website offers valuable information for all UAF students. For instance, students can sign up for any of the fall Invest in Yourself Workshops online. Note Taking, Math Anxiety, and Career Choices are just some of the workshops being offered this fall. The GPA Calculator calculates a semester GPA or figures out what it will take to reach a goal GPA. Furthermore, the website contains information for students interested in pursuing pre-professional programs such as pre-dental, medicine, veterinary or law. Here are some important reminders from the Advising Center for the beginning of the semester: Make sure that you are registered for your courses. You need to do this yourself after speaking with an advisor. Verify your courses at UAOnline (uaonline.alaska.edu). Make sure everything looks the same as what was approved by your advisor. Print out a copy of your class schedule with days, times and room numbers so that you know where you need to be and when. If you put yourself on the waitlist for a course, check your status on UAOnline on the day before or day of the first class. If your status says "Added from Waitlist" you are officially in the class and do not have to do anything else to get in! If it still says "Waitlist (& date)" you are still on the waitlist. You need to attend the class to find out how the instructor plans to handle the waitlisted students. If the instructor does not address the waitlist, be sure to ask! Don't assume that someone will contact you if a space becomes available or that you will be automatically moved into the class. ATTEND CLASS! Good grades depend on class attendance, taking notes, and asking questions. Do assigned readings and participate in discussions to get the most out of the class. Register early for spring semester. Registration will begin on November 21. Now that you are a current student, registration may be a little bit different for you. See an advisor from your major in person to discuss a class schedule. If you need some help figuring out whom you should see, contact the Academic Advising Center and we can point you in the right direction. Be sure to bring your registration form with you to have your advisor sign it (available on UAOnline). You need to turn this in before you can register. Selecting classes during the first few weeks of registration ensures that faculty are available to help you and classes are still open. It can be difficult to find someone to help once finals are over or during the semester break. Do some homework before the appointment by getting a general idea of courses that you need or would like to take, and draw up a tentative class schedule to discuss with your advisor. You can see the all of the requirements for your degree at www.uaf.edu/advising/degree/index.html. Good luck this semester. Remember, the Academic Advising Center wants to help you succeed!
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August 30, 2005