As most students know, this week is Advising Week at DU. In this column, we would like to address some common questions that students ask about Advising Week and academic advising in general.

Q: I really bombed on one of my midterms. Is it too late to drop a class this quarter?

A: No, it is not too late to drop a class for this spring quarter (see www.du.edu/registrar/calendar/importantdates.html). The last day to drop is actually Thursday, May 14, by 4:30 p.m., but you cannot drop online.

Students who want to drop a class at this point in the quarter will need to complete a short Drop/Add Slip and have the instructor sign it. Then the Drop/Add slip will need to be taken by the student to the Office of the Registrar who will drop the class for them.

There are, however, a couple of concerns to keep in mind when considering dropping a class.

One concern is whether or not dropping a class will take you below full-time student status (12 credits). You must be a full-time student to live on campus, and your financial aid package may be affected if you are not a full-time student. You should meet with your professor during office hours to know if you are actually failing and to discuss your best options.

Q: I’m registering next week, but I don’t have my alternate PIN to register.

A: Each student must meet with an academic adviser to receive advising and to pick up their alternate PIN before they can register for classes. Advising Week is the designated time for students to meet with their faculty and/or professional advisers to select courses for the next quarter.

Depending on your academic year and whether or not you have declared a major, here is where you would go to be advised and to receive your alternate PIN:

If you are a first year student, please make sure that you meet with your first year Seminar Instructor for advising and to obtain your registration form. If you have already declared a major, you may meet with your faculty adviser in your major instead.

If you are a second year student whose major is UNDECLARED BUSINESS, please call 303-871-6910 to schedule an appointment with a professional business adviser in the Daniels College of Business.

If you are a SECOND YEAR (NON-BUSINESS) STUDENT and you have NOT DECLARED A MAJOR YET-even if you are a TRANSFER STUDENT, you have two options:

Option 1) Meet with your first year seminar instructor from the previous year;

Option 2) Make an appointment to meet with a professional adviser in The Center for Academic and Career Development (Driscoll Student Center, Ste 30) by calling 303-871-2455.

If you are in your THIRD year or beyond, you should meet with your faculty adviser in your major. You can find your department’s advising contacts here: www.du.edu/studentlife/advising/documents/Departmental_Contacts.pdf. Contact the person listed for your major to find out who your faculty adviser is.

Regardless of who your adviser is, you should print out a copy of your APR (Academic Progress Report) and take it with you to your meeting with your adviser. Additionally, you may want to attend the “Create a Coursework Plan” workshop in Academic Advising to map out your courses for all of your quarters at DU. This workshop will be offered on Thursday, May 7, from 12-1 in the Center for Academic and Career Development.

Once you have been advised and you have your alternate PIN with your registration time, you can register from any computer with Internet access.

Q: Can I find out when I register before meeting with my adviser?

A: Your registration time will be listed on your Registration Form. However, you may also find your registration time online through webCentral. Under “Student and Financial Aid,” click “Registration.” Then click “Check Your Registration Status.”

Not only will you find out your registration time, but you will also see if you have holds preventing your registration.

Q: My major adviser only understands the requirements in my major. Where do I go to make sure that I understand and complete ALL of my degree requirements?

A: You can stop into The Center itself, located on the basement level of Driscoll South to schedule an appointment. Or you could call (303) 871-2455 to schedule an appointment.

During advising and registration weeks, The Center is open until 7:30 p.m. for scheduled appointments on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Usually, The Center is open for walk-in advising sessions every day from 10-11 a.m. (except on Wednesdays) and from 2-3 p.m.

The Center wishes you luck on your finals and projects as you end the quarter.