Advisors prepare students for upcoming school year

As students prepare for midterms right around the eight-week mark during the semester, they also prepare their classes for the following semester with their academic advisor.

Advisers serve as guides and resources to help students successfully advance in their field of study. The adviser may be a professional staff adviser or a faculty adviser. Depending on a student's declared major and when it is declared, a student may have experiences with one or both types of advisers at Southeast Missouri State University.

The Center for Academic Advising – North caters to the colleges of business and science, technology and agriculture, and the Center for Academic Advising – South caters to the colleges of education, health and human services and liberal arts.

Carol Heisserer, assistant director of academic advising for South, and Amanda Eller, coordinator of academic advising for North, are two people among a complete staff who are available to help students.

It is important for students to know their advisers. They are able to identify their adviser by logging into the portal. Upon logging in, students can click the "Student SS" tab and look for the Academic Profile box. They can select the current semester from the drop box and click "GO."

Students may review their academic standing and enrollment date through their Academic Profile box within the portal. It’s suggested that advising appointment are scheduled one to three weeks prior to enrollment date.

Incoming students usually start off with a professional adviser. They can schedule their advising appointment by going to the Academic Advising homepage, locating the appropriate advising center and clicking "Meet the Staff & Schedule an Appointment." Then they can fine the appropriate advisor and follow the instructions provided for scheduling an appointment.

Students admitted into their major typically have a faculty adviser. They will want to contact their adviser directly for information on how to schedule an appointment.

During advising, students and advisers should review each student’s academic standing and progress toward their degree, observe the classes the student is eligible to take the next semester and determine a plan for how the student will enroll in courses on their enrollment date and identify their enrollment PIN.

While together, the relationship between the student and adviser should be a collaborative effort, however if a student would like to switch they can contact the appropriate advising center or department office to discuss the change.

To enroll for fall 2018 courses, students can sign into portal using their SE Key. Choose “Student” tab and open “Click here to open My Southeast Self-Service.” Click the link to access the self-service page. Choose “Student” and click on Registration. Choose “Registration Status” and choose “Add or Drop Classes.” Then, select the term from the drop-down box and enter the PIN received from an adviser. Once in enrollment and registration, enter CRN/call numbers or complete the course search to choose courses. Click “Submit changes” and enrollment is complete.

It is important that students follow all of the required steps to have a successful advising appointment. Failure to do so could lead to a delay in the graduation process.

For more information on advising and registration, visit Academic Advising at www.semo.edu/advising and click on the “Student” tab, or call Advising – North at (573) 651-5090 and Advising – South at (573) 651-2007.