Editor’s note: This article is the second in a series about student resources available on UNI campus.

Not sure what to study? Unsure if you're on track to graduate when you’d planned? There's help for that! Consider talking to your academic advisor at the University of Northern Iowa. To learn more about how they can help you, keep reading! 

Who is my academic advisor?

Academic advisors play a vital role in the college careers of students, especially at the University of Northern Iowa. They help you navigate the course registration process, select the appropriate major, create plans of study and find other support resources to enhance your academic journey.

“I like to call academic advisors the guideposts of your college experience,” said Meredith Pecinovsky, associate director of academic advising. “We might not have all the answers, but we are going to know people, places and locations where you can get the answers to your questions.”

Some students receive their advising at the Office of Academic Advising, while others go to advisors embedded within their college or academic department. Students can find the advisor assigned to them in their MyUniverse Student Center.

When students first arrive at UNI, they have an advising hold. This means they must meet with their advisor or complete another form of registration preparation such as a workshop in order to register for classes. Some majors are required to meet with their advisors more regularly. 

What is a meeting with an academic advisor like?

In a typical meeting, Pecinovsky says an advisor will get to know you, your goals and your major. This is an opportunity for you to reflect on your major and be honest about whether you are enjoying it, sometimes resulting in changing a major.

To prepare for a meeting with an advisor, Pecinovsky suggests students access their student center and familiarize themselves with their advisement report.

“If you come in and you're like, ‘I'm here for the first time and I don't know what to ask,’ that's 100% okay,” said Pecinovsky. “We're here to help you. We're here to walk you through that process.”

What can academic advisors help with?

For Piper Graff, a second-year student at UNI, being in the exploratory program had her reflecting on possible majors frequently. It eventually led her to business finance and business management.

“Academic advising didn’t just help me choose a major — it helped me feel confident in that choice,” she said. “My advisor encouraged me to slow down, think through my options and make a decision that actually fit me. Having someone walk through the possibilities with me made the whole process feel much more intentional instead of rushed.”

While meeting regularly with an academic advisor is not required for a student’s major, doing so can help students stay on track for graduation. Advisors can make sure you are meeting some of the commonly missed requirements for a degree. For example, most students at UNI must complete 120 credit hours to earn a bachelor’s degree. These types of requirements may go missed if you don’t meet with their advisor. 

“Let's say you're a sophomore or junior — meeting with your advisor once a semester before that registration, but not too far before, maybe like a day or two before your registration, can be really beneficial just to get an idea of what to expect and making sure that your long-term plan still does look good,” said Pecinovsky.

How can peer advisors help students?

In addition to academic advisors, the Office of Academic Advising also employs students who work as peer advisors. They can provide basic support with course registration, major exploration and long-term plan creation.

“As someone who, as a freshman, changed their major to something completely different than what I came in as, I find it rewarding when I can help someone through the same process,” said Adelyn Sittig, a peer advisor majoring in communication sciences and disorders. “It's scary and frustrating to be in a program that you know doesn't fit right, especially as a freshman. I love watching students figure out what they're passionate about and get excited about their future.”

“I'm very passionate about academic advising and helping students get the information and resources that they need,” said Malyna Langlois, who is majoring in psychology, sociology and gerontology. “As a student, I know how intimidating asking for help can be. However, as a student, I can relate, which can encourage students to come into the office and ask for help. Being able to see the relief on the student's faces after helping them add/drop a course or figure out their plan of study is rewarding.”

Take the next step! Reach out to your academic advisor

No matter where you’re at on your college journey, an academic advisor is a fantastic resource.

“I wish more students understood it's never too late to go to an advisor,” said Pecinovsky. “Life's not always linear, and that's hard, and that can be messy. UNI is a great place to figure out what you want to do and to figure out how to achieve it.”