Comments | csu_fullerton: Talking to your major advisor

weeklydoseof in csu_fullerton

Talking to your major advisor

Feb 14, 2009 20:54

When is a good time to talk to your major advisor?

I'm a freshman and I hear people recommend to see a major advisor, but I haven't yet-- I don't even know who mine is! I'm having some doubts about my major also... I took an into class last semester and thought it was the most amazing thing, but I'm also questioning it career wise.

Comments 7

zombieroadtrip February 15 2009, 05:41:57 UTC

I transferred my junior year to Fullerton so I didn't meet with my advisor until then. If you're taking mostly general ed classes anyway, it's not a huge deal but if you're unsure about your major choice, it couldn't hurt. All professors I've talked to who do advising have been absolutely more than willing to help in any way they can.

I don't know how it works with other majors, but in the Art Dept. you can go to the art office ask who your advisor would be for your major/concentration, and take a look at their office hours to stop by and talk to them.

weeklydoseof February 15 2009, 21:10:00 UTC

Thank you! I've been nervous about talking to a major advisor if only because it all seems intimidating, haha. Hopefully I'll talk to one soon.

dichotomies February 15 2009, 05:51:58 UTC

I waited to go to my major advisor for awhile (around 2-3 years), and I ended up missing out on some crucial advice! My friend went freshman year and got a sheet that showed her what classes were recommended to take when, classes that went well together, etc., etc. and she knew a lot of shortcuts that she could take that helped her graduate earlier. Plus the advisor gave her a TON of invaluable advice that has helped her out a lot ( ... )

weeklydoseof February 15 2009, 21:08:52 UTC

Thanks very much! I was really thinking about holding off for another year or two, but if it can help me then I don't have problems with that at all. Do you think it's better to wait towards the end of the semester or should I just go whenever possible? I don't want to jump the gun, haha.

Yeah, my major is so interesting but I'm just concerned about finding work after my schooling is over. At this point it's mainly about what is practical and what is something that I enjoy, you know. Best of luck to you, though! :D

dichotomies February 17 2009, 07:52:15 UTC

No problem! I don't think you have to run to campus ASAP and go right away, but it would probably help to go see an advisor before you have to figure out what classes you'll be taking next semester. That way if you decide to keep your major, they'll probably have some tips on which classes to take next, or if you want to switch majors you'll have time to find a major advisor from that major and figure out what classes you need.

Ah, yeah, I know how you feel. I was always a little apprehensive about that "starving artist" stigma, at one point I considered changing my major. But I talked to a few professors, professionals and art advisors, and they told me about all of these different outlets that are available -- even temp agencies for creative people! So there may be resources like that available to you that your advisor will know of. Good luck with everything too, I hope you can figure it out! :D

shuckiduck February 18 2009, 09:48:47 UTC

i was a transfer student - 2 years at a community college, 1 1/2 at sacramento state - before i went to CSUF. i spoke to an advisor early, when i was transferring, and it was good for a few reasons. one was because they showed me what classes transferred and which ones to petition to try and have transferred. another was that they showed what classes (ie, gen ed classes) could double-count for certain criteria that you have to fulfill (such as upper division classes, which everyone has to do regardless of major). cuts down on overall class load. i didn't talk to my major advisor until much later, but now i think it would have been beneficial - even the advisor that isn't yours could be helpful. i didn't realize until later on that a lot of my core classes for my communications major had a LOT of overlapping information about things including the history of media (like radio, tv) that was repeated from class to class. definitely check it out ( ... )

shuckiduck February 18 2009, 09:50:18 UTC

edit: i'm not saying that i'm not happy with my education; i'm just saying that sometimes even with the major you pick you might not necessarily be doing something in the same field. i LOVE my current job, and i still do photography on the side (as i did before CSUF). if you're just starting out you have a little bit of time to figure out what you want to do; an advisor or someone in the career center might be able to give you insight on a career as well.