B Fall quarter registration is near, and it is advising time. Over my past four years at DU, I have heard mixed messages about academic advising.
Some people, including myself, have only positive things to say about the quality of advising at DU.
However, others are quite critical about the caliber of advising. Some unfavorable comments that I have heard make me wonder if I am actually attending the same university as the commenter!
Based on what I have heard, I think that the dichotomy between those who approve and disaproval of advising boils down to whether efforts are actually being made by students to receive advising.
At the collegiate level, higher levels of responsibility and independence are implied. In the “real world,” a degree of initiative is necessary for success. If you want advising, then you need to go out and find it. Personally, I do not want someone chasing me down for advising. We are paying tuition to receive a quality education, not to receive conveniences.
Finding advising at DU should not be a problem with the many different channels for advising.
There is an entire department devoted to academic advising.
Professors in your department can help you with advising; I have never encountered a professor who would say “no” to helping a student. During advising week, I have seen professors sitting out in the hall just waiting for students to come for advising.
DU schools and colleges have even offered their own advising sessions. The Daniels College of Business hosted a group advising session with trivia and prizes, making advising almost a no-brainer. I have received multiple e-mails regarding advising, and postings have appeared on webCentral. B
In my view, it requires minimal effort to receive advising.
It seems only logical to want some advising. It is a great way to build relationships with professors. After all, everybody wants to graduate on time, so a second-set of eyes can help make sure that you are completing all of your necessary degree requirements. B
If you want something done in a certain way, you are the only one who can take care of it. Advisors are not hiding, so seek them out!
