Advising Guide By Brookelyn Stewart
The Great Smokey Mountains Community College is a state-‐supported community college operated by the Tennessee Board of Regents. It was established in 1970 and is located n Morristown, Tennessee. Address: 500 S Davy Crockett Pkwy, Morristown, TN 37813 Phone: (423)585-‐2600 Website: www.ws.edu/
• Step 1: Already Applied? • Step 2: Meet with an advisor/Counselor • Step 3: Decide on your major • Step 4: Get Familiar with Course Requirements & Prerequisites • Step 5: Find the Curriculum for your Major • Step 6: Meet with your Advisor • Step 7: Schedule your First Semester Courses • Step 8: Register through StarNET
• Complete the Already Applied? What’s Next! Form.
(Due to a computer error, I cannot provide you with an accurate link. However, to fill out this form, go to this link https://www.ws.edu/student-‐services/success-‐ center/advising/ and there should be another link under step 1: Already Applied. )
• Meet with an advisor/counselor in the Student Success Center for a pre-‐advising session. Walter State wants to help the students, so they offer and encourage continuous academic advising. It is required that students see an advisor prior to registering for classes each semester. This helps the students stay on track!
Undecided? • Schedule an appointment with Counseling/ Career Services • Research the different majors you are interested in and see which one is right for you! • Talk to people about their careers. Make sure to check for good pay, benefits, and most important, the satisfaction rate of the job. When you do decide, officially change your major with the Admissions Office.
• Take Developmental courses first • Use the catalog website to check out course descriptions http://catalog.ws.edu/content.php? catoid=12&navoid=485 • Be knowledgeable of prerequisites-‐ a course taken prior to another course. • Ask your advisor about course sequencing and when certain courses are offered.
Be aware of the requirements for the major: GPA, particular courses, ect. Make sure to check the College Catalog-‐ Programs of Study or by Academic Division. These can be found on the Walter State website with these links. Programs of Study http://catalog.ws.edu/content.php? catoid=11&navoid=444 Academic Division https://www.ws.edu/academics/divisions/ default.shtm
Contact the secretary for the department in which the major is located to schedule an advising appointment. Link to advisor contact information-‐ https://www.ws.edu/admissions/advising/ default.shtm
During the advising appointment, plan the courses you will take and the order in which they will be taken. Also talk to your advisor about what you can expect with this major. You need to know what you are getting into before you fully commit.
Make sure to stick with the basics for your first semester such as: English classes Reading class A Math class Social Science electives like Psychology or Sociology A Humanities elective like Art History, Music, or Theater. And Speech.
• Register online. You can do this through this link-‐ https://www.ws.edu/admissions/registration/ default.shtm It gives you a step by step guide on Registering for Classes through StarNET.
Make sure you are on the right path by visiting your advisor on a regular basis. Their job is to help you build your future and do what you love to do. They care about your success, and make sure you touch base with him/her each semester to make sure you’re on the right track.