Idaho State University Central Academic Advising offers “Declare Your Major” and “Be Advised” campaigns prior to early registration April 13-20

Idaho State University encourages students to participate in the “Declare Your Major” and “Be Advised” campaigns prior to fall semester 2015 early registration set April 13-20, depending on class rank.

Deciding on a major and taking action to officially notify the department is important. Students who have officially committed to a major tend to persist in college and graduate. However, students should avoid choosing a major without knowing if it is a proper “fit” for oneself or without understanding the related employment opportunities and job characteristics.

“The ‘Declare Your Major’ campaign should encourage students to declare their major after spending a proper amount of time gathering information about themselves, evaluating the range of majors available at ISU and the academic requirements of each, and understanding the career opportunities related to their major,” said JoAnn Hertz, director of Central Academic Advising.

Career and academic counseling is strongly recommended before registering each semester. Students have access to professionals in the ISU Career Center and the Center for New Directions. Academic advising by a faculty or departmental advisor is also encouraged.

“Advising can help ensure a successful academic experience at Idaho State University,” Hertz said. “Interaction with departmental faculty who are experts in their field provides an advantage to any student who seeks it.”

Advisors and advisees have a shared responsibility when it comes to the advising relationship. Students can expect advisors to provide information, be accessible, encourage educational engagement and assist with attaining educational goals.

Advisors can expect students to meet with them each semester, read the catalog or website information, be prepared for the advising session, bring questions to the advising session, and to assume final responsibility for course scheduling, program planning and the successful completion of graduation requirements.

The benefits of advising are many and include:

• Direct student contact with faculty from their chosen discipline;

• Access to up-to-date information from the department;

• Assistance with long-range degree completion planning;

• Opportunity to expand discipline knowledge on an informal basis;

• Understand what is needed to stay on track to graduation; and

• Referrals and invitations to relevant learning opportunities outside of the classroom.

Online registration begins at 12:01 a.m. for each class level. The registration schedule for fall semester 2015 is as follows:

• Senior, Graduate, and Post Baccalaureate (90 credits), Monday, April 13

• Junior (58-89 credits), Wednesday, April 15

• Sophomore (26-57 credits), Friday, April 17

• Freshman (25 or fewer credits) , Monday, April 20

For more information, contact ISU Central Academic Advising at (208) 282-3277 or advinfo@isu.edu.