Why Should You See An Advisor?
Academic advisors are planning geniuses! They can help you choose classes, plan your degree, suggest possible majors. They can also help you switch majors, switch majors again, and ensure you will graduate on time. Moreover, they guide you to obscure programs in your faculty, help make the transition for co-op or exchange easier, tell you about popular upper-level electives that require no prerequisites, and most importantly, check your credits to make sure you can graduate! Use the following resources to help you plan your first visit:
- Faculty Advising Offices: Contacts and Locations
- For continuing students: Academic Calendar: Course Planning
Who is My Advisor?
Please check with your respective advising office to ensure that their hours and services are up-to-date.
How to Prepare for an Appointment
Be Informed! The more research you have done, the more beneficial your meeting will be. Visit the UBC Academic Calendar, and your faculty website for information on faculty and degree requirements, course descriptions, program options, restrictions, etc. Remember, there are no stupid questions, but we do recommend looking online for information about registration, programs, faculty requirements, and answers to other frequently asked questions.
You can also download the Learning Commons’ Degree Planner to help track courses and calculate your credits. Print it out and bring it to your appointment as a good way of organizing information visually.
When to See an Advisor
You can see an advisor anytime of the year! However, you want to make sure that you make a point of seeing them before:
- Going on exchange or participating in co-op
- Declaring your major or program stream
- Deciding to complete a minor
- Registering in courses for your final term to ensure you meet the requirements for graduation
- If you require Academic Concession (i.e. if you can’t write an exam)
