It started like a normal day last October for Jane Ramey,* a senior at Suffolk University.  She had a healthy breakfast at home, made it to the T on time and had her favorite seat in Comm. Theory. When Professor Vicki Karns announced to the class that it was time for CJN Advising, a rush of excitement filled Ramey.

“Yes, this is it, I’m graduating next semester!” Or so she thought.

Just as Karns instructed, Ramey signed up for advising on the third floor of Ridgeway, where the purple and gold sign-up sheets hung on the bulletin board.  Later, when Ramey spoke with Karns about her program evaluation and plans for her last semester, Karns surprised her by saying, “I’m sorry, but you can’t finish this spring.”

Ramey was aghast. “How did this happen?”

The two classes Ramey dropped her sophomore year made her just 8 credits shy of graduation.

“They think that because they’ve been here for 4 years, they’re done,” said Karns.

It was very disappointing for Ramey to hear. “It was so unexpected and didn’t make sense to me. But I immediately asked Vicki how I could change it. I wanted to graduate in May.”

Since 1986, Karns has been advising CJN students, and has been the head of advising for seven years.  Karns can empathize with students when things go wrong during an advising session, because as an undergrad, she had her own horror story. “My freshman year of college, I went to the advising center and met with the faculty member ‘on duty’.  He helped me pick classes—the WRONG classes it turned out!”

While Ramey’s story is rare, it isn’t unheard of in the CJN department.

“I’ve had students in tears because they think they are going to graduate because they’ve been ‘full time’ every semester.” But Karns finds the hidden issues, “[…] they’ve dropped classes; they’ve taken the wrong classes; they’ve failed classes.”

Karns has even had parents show up for advising.  “When I was in college, I would have been horrified if my parents had wanted to talk to a professor!  [But] today, students often like it. OR, they’ve neglected to tell their parents what’s really going on, and that can turn into a very uncomfortable session!”

Of all the advising issues that arise, Karns says the most frustrating can be about transferring  when students expect her to know what other institutions need for credits. “I ask them if they would walk into a Talbot’s store with a catalog from the Gap and ask the clerk to help them select some clothes.”  The best advice she has for transferring students, is to contact the university they’re applying to and ask about their requirements.  Karns adds, “If a student comes in and wants advice about transferring and how one goes about transferring, I’m glad to help.  I’m NOT glad to help them select classes at another institution!”

However, the most common problem students in the CJN department run into is filled classes.  Students need to prepare before meeting with advisors.  Karns suggests students print out their program evaluation, create a list of classes they wish to take that fits their schedule, and always have patience.

“[When students] have options [they] can make good choices.  Everyone will get the classes they need—eventually.  The worst thing they [can] do is select classes because ‘it was the only thing that fit in my schedule!’” said Karns.

If students do run into major problems, the first step is simple:  “See an advisor.  We have 8 different people who advise—They should be able to find somebody with whom they feel comfortable!” said Karns.

Advising is not only stressful for students trying to make sense of their remaining course load, but for CJN advisors it’s especially hectic.  “Advising is pretty close to hell for our department.  We all love advising, but, we literally have hundreds of students to see and advise.  If students show up prepared, it’s GREAT!  If they are patient, it’s GREAT.  If they show up with an attitude, or unprepared or demanding certain people or times, then it isn’t as great!”

For Karns one of the biggest challenges she has as an advisor is convincing students to take responsibility for their own schedule. “So many of them just come in and say ‘tell me what to take!’;  I feel sad that they aren’t more pro-active and choosing classes they really like, AND I get scared because if I make a mistake, they won’t catch it.”

Well before graduation, students need to declare a major; in the meantime, Karns welcomes undeclared students to meet with the CJN advisors.  Here’s a tip from Karns “[students] don’t NEED a minor.  They can be creative and put together a schedule that helps them make their strengths stronger and builds up their weaknesses.”  It’s important to make the correct choices that match the student’s interests; a minor should be something students enjoy, and as Karns emphasizes, “not just declare a minor because they think it will ‘look good’ [on a resume].”

It is only required for students to meet with an advisor twice a year to schedule classes, however, Karns encourages students to “to meet with advisors and/or faculty mentors more regularly for career advice, advice on class progress, etc..”  She continues, “When students see an advisor for advising outside the ‘scheduling frenzy,’ I think they get the best of all worlds!”

For this March’s advising session, Ramey signed up early to speak with Karns. They discussed her summer courses that she would have to complete in order to receive her diploma. Although she is able to walk at graduation in May, Ramey says it was a lesson well learned.

“I wish that I had paid attention earlier. I mean, I love Suffolk, but I don’t want to be in college forever.” Ramey wishes that other students will learn from her story. “If you don’t stay on top of your [academic] standing, you never know what might happen. I never thought I would be one of those students who’d have a bad advising session.”

This warning goes out to every student:  be prepared and keep track of your required classes for majors and minors, in order to avoid an advising horror story.

*Jane is a fictional character compiled from various advising stories.