Freshmen at OU often blame advisers for problems they experience with their curriculum, but advisers say the problem is much more complicated than that.Michelle Shebester, film and video studies senior, said she had a lot of trouble with advising during her freshman year. Shebester told her adviser that she wanted to make films, but her adviser said there were no majors for that at OU and the only thing close was film and video studies.Shebester said by the time she learned about a film-making program in the College of Arts and Sciences, it was too late to change her major. She said she is still bitter toward advisers.Christina Norman, assistant director of the OU Scholars Program, said the whole nature of academic advising is complicated for freshmen.She said the first year of college has a lot of opportunities for students to explore different majors and careers. As students change majors or make adjustments to their programs, the first year can also complicate things because decisions freshmen make during their first semester might not end up being good decisions for another semester.Lindsey Haecherl, health and exercise science sophomore, said she also had a very negative experience when she was a freshman.Haecherl said she was undecided and wanted some advice from her adviser about what options she had. She said the adviser was vague and told her that she couldn't help unless Haecherl knew what major she wanted."I left feeling like I had gotten no help and encouragement," Haecherl said. "I felt like a terrible person because I didn't know what I wanted to do with the rest of my life."

But after a friend recommended that she give it another try, she went back in for another appointment. She said the second time was more positive because the adviser was more laid-back and understanding.

Sooner Advisingo Some students have experienced problems with advisers.o Each of the nine University College advisers is responsible for about 450 students.o Each freshman adviser is responsible for having information about 141 undergraduate majors, as well as minors, prerequisites and admission requirements.

"Advising is definitely a negative experience for me now," Haecherl said. "You just have to find an adviser that is right for you."An adviser's responsibilities can be overwhelming. Norman said each adviser at the OU Scholars Program is responsible for 250 students on average.Diane Mayes, director of academic advising at University College, said when University College has its full staff of nine advisers, each one is responsible for 450 students. The advisers still attempt to connect with each student on a personal level, but it can be difficult if students don't do their part.Norman also said that each freshman adviser is responsible for knowing the requirements and admission processes for 141 undergraduate majors, minors from all colleges and the prerequisites and admission requirements for approximately 18 allied and professional health programs at a variety of institutions.These requirements are something students don't necessarily understand, Norman said. She added that advisers are doing their best, but they can't know the answer to every question a student has.Mayes said students are so busy and overwhelmed with classes, activities and adjustment issues that they sometimes do not think to consult their advisers on issues with which advisers can be extremely helpful. She said advisers attempt to communicate by sending e-mails to all students with important deadlines, resources to help them academically and reminders to come and be advised."Advisers in University College are very caring, educated and intelligent individuals," Mayes said. "They were hired with those characteristics in mind."Tamara Halaseh, University College freshman, said she agrees that the advising experience can be very positive. She said she left her appointment feeling more enthusiastic not just about next semester, but about her classes this semester as well.There is a lot that students can do to get the most out of their advising appointments, Norman said. She said the more active a student is in the process of advising, the more successful that student will be.She said there are several advising tools that students can use to prepare for their appointment. The Degree Navigator, which will be replacing advisement and degree audits in the future, is a good reference, as is The University of Oklahoma Graduation Planner and General Catalog.The most important thing students can do to help advisers is to speak up during appointments. Norman said if students are dealing with issues that they do not bring up, that is a missed opportunity for both the adviser and the student."I only know what a student is dealing with if they tell me," she said.
hello there & you too