Advisors, when they first start off, are motivated and dedicated. Over time, some tend to lose the sense of accomplishment that comes with service. Often times, it isn't complacency that gets in the way, it is communication.
Communication is critical to the advising process, and the foundation of good communication is respect and caring. I've taken a step back from the job. I've taken a retrospective look into what has worked, what has not, and why. Here is what I came up with: 1) The first key is to take students seriously. Each has a different perspective and each student brings a new situation with them. 2) The second is to never assume a student knows everything. Many advisors just jargon and tend to assume that every student knows the admissions process or the process to add/drop courses, etc. This is one of the worse mistakes an advisor can make. Your goal should be to enlighten and educate, regardless of the student's age or perceived knowledge. 3) You MUST make it personal. Students are coming to you for guidance and direction. If they wanted a systematic response, they would use the online chat feature on your school's main website for help. Students are looking for that personal touch from an advisor. As an advisor, you should remember their name and situation because of all the thought and time spent on their case.
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