ISU “Be Advised” campaign continues recommending students declare majors

Students are encouraged to meet with advisors prior to registration for the 2017 spring semester. The registration schedule for spring semester 2017 is as follows: 

• Senior, graduate and post baccalaureate with 90 or more credits register on Monday, Nov. 7.
• Juniors with 58 to 89 credits register on Wednesday, Nov. 9.
• Sophomores with 26 to 57 credits register on Friday, Nov. 11.
• Freshman with 25 or fewer credits resister on Monday, Nov.14.

Online registration begins at 12:01 a.m. for each class level.

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 counseling from the professional counselors in the ISU Career Center and the Center for New Directions will benefit any student, particularly those who have not yet investigated their options.

Academic advising by a faculty or departmental advisor or a professional or knowledgeable peer advisor in Central Academic Advising is strongly recommended before registering each semester.

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

Benefits 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
• referrals and invitations to relevant learning opportunities outside of the classroom

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.

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