Strategies for a Successful Advising Experience

Be current on academic policies, procedures, and requirements

  • Familiarize yourself with the Geographical Sciences Website: www.geog.umd.edu.
  • Understand concentration requirements and keep a copy of your advising checklist and graduation plan together for easy reference.
  • Take the initiative to contact your advisor. The Geographical Science Advising office can be reached at  @email.
  • Know the academic calendar!  
  • Visit TerpEngage to make an appointment or view drop-in hours.

Help your advisor get to know you

  • Reflect on your interests, experiences, and goals, and be open about your plans, concerns, and hopes.
  • Bring a copy of your resume to your first advising meeting. It’s a great summary of your academic and career achievements.
  • Bring a copy of your Degree Audit to each meeting. It can be found on TESTUDO.
  • Update your advisor on your academic experiences and new or changing interests

Consider the following questions before the meeting

  • What are your academic goals? What are your long-range career goals? What skills or experience will you need to achieve these goals?
  • Are there courses within your discipline that are closely related to your goals?
  • How can you use the summer months to gain the greatest amount of professional development?
  • Are you thinking about graduate school? If so, are you pushing yourself to go the extra mile and not just do the minimum required? Discuss this with your advisor.

Come prepared!

  • Bring a list of questions/concerns before each meeting-Be sure to do some preliminary research on them beforehand!
  • Have a list of proposed courses and why you selected them
  • If there are upper level courses outside your curriculum that you’re interested in, ask if they can count as Restricted Electives.  Explain how this course relates to your interests
  • If you’re interested in gaining research or internship experience, ask about departmental opportunities and referrals to appropriate faculty
  • Take notes and keep copies of all documents you receive. Creating a personal advising file is helpful for  later reference

REMEMBER– Your advisor can guide you and give you options but YOU are the one responsible for making things happen!