How an academic advisor can be your students’ best friend Supplied by MacEwan University
F
inding the right post-secondary fit is a process – one that MacEwan University’s new Academic Advising Centre is
making easier with its one-stop-shop advising model for future students. “We’re here to support and coach future students as they begin their
downtown university, they should check in with the Academic Advising Centre first, says Ravagnolo. Here are four reasons why.
1. Advisors can help your students find their way in a whole new world
academic journey,” says Karen
MacEwan’s vibrant downtown campus
Ravagnolo, the centre’s manager. “As
is like a tiny city. It takes time to figure
advisors, we are connected to all of
out how to make your way around, how
the university’s service areas, faculties
things work, where to get help or even
and schools, so we’ve got the lay of the
where to eat lunch. “We can definitely
land when it comes to the huge number
answer specific, concrete questions, but
of programs, services and supports that are available at MacEwan.”
our job is also to teach students and to give them the skills to make navigating
If your high school students are
their university experience easier,” says
thinking of attending Edmonton’s
Ravagnolo.
That can include everything from showing future students how to work through processes, interpreting university lingo, walking students through the academic calendar or explaining the requirements of their programs of choice.
2. Advisors can help your students save time and frustration Academic advisors are generalists who know just enough to answer a whole lot of questions – everything from figuring out how to choose the right program to exactly what future students need to include in their applications and whether it’s realistic to take five courses a semester and work a part-time job. Ravagnolo says that one question that many high school students are asking this year involves optional diploma exams. “MacEwan will continue to accept the final marks as reported by Alberta Education on the high school transcript to calculate an applicant’s admission average, whether they chose to write the final exam or not,” she explains. “Students and future students are responsible for making their own choices, of course, but advisors know how to get the most up-to-date information to help students make those choices.”
3. They are future students’ biggest cheerleaders “We’re rooting for every student we 6 Alberta School Counsellor / Spring 2021
