Advising frenzy: How academic advisors help students during enrollment season
It’s spring at The University of Kansas, meaning students are once again preparing to enroll in classes for the upcoming academic year. For many, that process starts with academic advising, but experiences vary widely across campus.
Academic advisors are a key resource for students mapping out their schedules to stay on track for graduation. However, since the university discontinued the Schedule Builder feature on Enroll & Pay last year, some students say planning has become more challenging.
“It’s definitely a bit harder because you can’t actually visualize it,” said Trenton MacMeekan, a junior biology student. “You have to write out the exact timeframes… it’s still manageable, but easier with an advisor.”
Many students now prioritize meeting with their advisors in person to make sure their schedule lines up, in the absence of Schedule Builder.
For some students, meeting with an advisor early is essential to ease stress and ensure they’re meeting graduation requirements. Joanna Yuen, a junior biology student, gets stressed about enrollment and finds comfort in meeting with her advisor.
“I’m always stressed that I’m not going to graduate, so I make appointments really early,” Yuen said.
Others have found a way to take a more independent approach, relying on email communication or even outside tools to plan their schedules. Justin Parmet is a freshman psychology student who doesn’t ever meet with his advisor in person.
“I usually email my advisor to ask her what she thinks, versus making appointments,” Parmet said. “I use ChatGPT. It helps me. I send in the requirements, minor, major, track, all that stuff, then that kind of helps me with further guidance.”
Still, not all advising experiences are perfect. Some students report difficulty securing appointments or maintaining the same advisor over time.
“I’ve personally struggled with finding a consistent advisor,” said Daniella Beers, a junior exercise science student. “But I know it fluctuates on the adviser themselves.”
To address these challenges, KU advising offices offer first come-first serve drop-in sessions, giving students another way to get help without a scheduled appointment. According to Bridget Bradley, an assistant director of Academic Advising at KU, advising typically hosts drop-ins on Mondays and Thursdays, allowing students to meet with an advisor on a more flexible basis.
Whether through scheduled meetings, quick drop-ins, or even email exchanges, connecting with an advisor can make a significant difference for students during enrollment season. For more information about drop-ins, click here.
Watch the segment here:
