Resources for Students

Suggestions for your first meeting with your faculty advisor

Advising is a partnership between you and your advisor. Advisors help you identify and develop your personal strengths that lead to achieving your goals, like communicating well, taking responsibility for your actions, and earning a degree from William & Mary.

Here's a short list of suggestions for your first meeting with your faculty advisor:

Introduce yourself. Ask your advisor about herself or himself. Use this opportunity to lay the groundwork for a collaborative relationship.
Talk about your academic background. What courses did you like in high school? What challenges do you expect as you begin your first year at W&M?
Discuss the courses you're thinking about taking in your first semester.
Talk about any other activities you're interested in. Will there be time? Does it seem like a good balance?
Ask about research opportunities, and other opportunities you're considering for future years. What should you be thinking about now so you're well positioned later?
Review the first-semester and first-year timeline to make sure you know what lies ahead.
Find out how your advisor likes to schedule appointments. By email? By phone? Some other way?