Answers to Common Questions: "Where do I go if...?"

 

Q: WHERE DO I GO IF I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT CLASS MATERIAL OR AM HAVING TROUBLE IN A CLASS?
A: I visit the professor during his or her office hours or at the time we agree on for an appointment.  Or I may see my academic adviser.

Q. HOW DO I FIND MY ADVISER?
A: Call your college or the department of your major (if you have one) and ask.  If in General Studies, go to Room 33 of the Canfield Administration Building.

Q. WHEN DO I VISIT MY ADVISER?
A: I visit my adviser when:

• She/he has posted office hours or by appointment.
• I need help to understand the curricular regulations or program structures of my college or department.  I bring my UNL Undergraduate Bulletin so I can note pages or highlight information.
• I am frustrated with what seems academic red tape.
• Prior to early registration for freshmen (those who have completed 0 to 26 hours) in the spring. This is a busy time, so I should make an appointment early and come to that appointment  prepared with questions and with a draft schedule.  Even if it gets changed in conversation, that schedule will clue my adviser into my thinking: it will start the discussion.  This conversation should simplify preregistration week, when advising time is tight.
• I want to discuss an issue with an expert in my field.  Serious advising often occurs in such discussions.
• I need a kind of reality-check or a facilitator as I develop short-term and long-term educational or vocational goals.
• Often enough so my adviser recognizes me and can recognize milestones in my progress.  We can befriend only those whom we know, and convincing recommendations can be written only on a sound knowledge base.  My advisor can only let me know of opportunities if s/he knows me and my goals.  An open and frank relationship with my advisor allows mentoring to occur.
• As soon as I or others recognize that I am having serious academic difficulty in a course or, worse, faced with the prospect of probation or dismissal.

A word to the wise: Do not expect the best advising to occur when time is tight, e.g., during the semester's first, last, or preregistration weeks.

Q: SUPPOSE I DO NOT UNDERSTAND OR ACCEPT WHAT MY ADVISER SAYS?
A: I ask questions.  Questioning clarifies my needs for both of us.  (Proceeding on guesswork despite misunderstandings can have serious negative consequences, so do not hesitate to clarify matters.)

Q: WHERE DO I GO WHEN I . . . . .
                feel depressed and unmotivated?
                am uncertain or concerned about my sexuality?
                feel distressed?
                am unhappy about a relationship?
                find I am getting down on myself a lot?
                am having trouble with alcohol or some other drug?
                find I just cannot get done the things I must?
                feel things are just not going right?
                feel just unable to take tests, do math (or other subject)
A: Counseling and Psychological Services in University Health Center 472-7450. My student fees pay for the first three half-hour sessions. 

Q. WHERE DO I GO WHEN I . . . . .
                am uncertain about choosing a major?
                am uncertain about career plans?
                am unhappy with my current major?
                have been in General Studies for two years without selecting a major?
                have tried a couple of majors without finding a satisfactory one?
                have tried to declare a college (Arts & Sciences, Agriculture, Business, etc.) without declaring a specific major?
                am not sure what I will do after I graduate?
                do not know how or where to get information I need about possible careers?
                need to know what academic programs might work toward a given career?
A: Career Services, 230 Nebraska Union, 472-3145; or the adviser assigned by the college. 

Q: WHERE DO I GO WHEN I NEED FINANCIAL ADVICE OR EVEN A SHORT TERM LOAN?
A: Scholarships and Financial Aid, 17 Administration (472-2030). 

Q: WHERE DO I GO FOR JOB AND INTERNSHIP INFORMATION?
A: Career Services, 230 City Union, 472-3145. 

Q. HOW DO I DISTINGUISH WHO IS A FRESHMAN, SOPHOMORE, JUNIOR OR SENIOR?
A. For purposes of priority registration class standing is as follows: Freshman are students who have completed 0-26 hours; Sophomores, 27-52 hours; Juniors, 53-88 hours; Seniors, 89 hours and over.  For specific colleges or programs, consult the University Undergraduate Bulletin. 

All of these offices are best visited early, before I hit a crisis.

--Written and/or compiled by James A. McShane