With all the excitement that comes with the start of college lifeð – like moving into the dorms, scheduling classes, buying books – many incoming freshman may not realize how important it is to meet with an adviser.

Sylvia Mioduski, the director of University College, suggests that students meet with an adviser three times a semester, and incoming freshmen should meet with their adviser within the first three to five weeks of school.

“”It’s important to talk to an adviser to make sure your educational plan is on track,”” Mioduski said.

Nell Fagergren, a psychology senior, said she has been keeping track of her own classes while attending the UA but recently visited an adviser to make sure she could graduate on time.

“”It was very beneficial to visit the adviser because I was signed up for classes I didn’t need,”” Fagergren said. “”She also told me about good classes to take in graduate school.””

Students who have chosen a major will have an adviser assigned to them from their department, but undeclared students can receive advising from the University College.

“”If you’re truly unclear, the University College is a great place to start because it lets you explore what you may be leaning toward,”” Mioduski said.

The reason the University College is a great resource for undeclared students, Mioduski said, is because they can help students stay on a general track for an area of study they may be interested in.

“”If a student is leaning toward sciences, we want to make sure they are in the appropriate science sequence,”” Mioduski said.

The importance of having constant contact with an adviser also becomes more important as students approach graduation, Mioduski said.

“”As you get closer to graduating, it’s important to maintain contact with your adviser,”” Mioduski said.

Cesar Egurrola, a psychology junior, said he visits his adviser at least three times a semester.

“”When I don’t see my adviser I have twice as much difficulty signing up for classes,”” Egurrola said.

Egurrola said his adviser has helped him stay on track so that he will graduate on time.

“”It’s important to have a relationship with your adviser,”” Egurrola said. “”If you’re smart you’ll see your adviser because they’ll be able to tell you if something is wrong with your schedule.””

Besides having constant contact with an adviser, Mioduski said it’s also important to communicate with professors in order to be successful in college.

“”It’s really important to make a pact with yourself to get to know your teachers,”” Mioduski said. “”You need to make the commitment to do that.””

For students who may not know how to contact their adviser, the UA Advising Resource Center is available to answer questions and to lead students in the right direction for finding advising help.

Students can check out the ARC Web site at http://advising.arizona.edu/index.html, or call (520) 626-8667 for more information.