How do I have successful discussions with an academic advisor?

The Dual Enrollment Academic Advising team is your primary resource regarding academic issues, opportunities, and programs. Each Dual Enrollment (PSEO & Early College) student is assigned an academic advisor based upon the first letter of your last name. In many ways your academic advisor is the coordinator of your educational experiences at UNWSP.

Please visit the /wiki/spaces/CAGS/pages/83855783 Meet your Academic Advisor page to determine your academic advisor. If you have not connected with your academic advisor yet, it can be helpful to reach out to him/her and introduce yourself.

You are also welcome to direct advising questions to our general advising inbox: advisingde@unwsp.edu

Which parts of academic advising are my responsibility as a student?

It's your responsibility to take initiative and contact your advisor with questions or goals you would like to discuss. It's helpful to keep your advisor informed about changes in academic progress, course selection, and academic/career goals. Responsible students are also knowledgeable about policies, procedures and requirements outlined in the Dual Enrollment Student Handbook.  Clear communication with your advisor is crucial, and you should regularly review the emails and communications you receive from your advisor throughout your time at UNWSP.

Which parts of academic advising are my advisor's responsibility?

Your advisor will maintain knowledge of the requirements for majors/programs and Dual Enrollment policies/procedure. He or she will assist you in selecting courses appropriate to your abilities and interests.  Advisors will recommend possible alternatives and/or support services when you encounter obstacles to your academic goals.

What questions should I ask my professor and what should I ask my academic advisor?

Questions related directly to a course you are taking should be directed to your professor. For example,

• Questions about the course syllabus
• Questions about the course site in Moodle
• Questions about course materials or textbooks
• Questions about directions, assignment, due dates, grades, etc.
• Extenuating circumstances that will affect your progress in the course

Questions related to academic issues, opportunities, and programs should be directed to an advisor. For example, 

• Questions about requirements for majors/programs
• Questions about course selection
• Questions about Dual Enrollment policies and procedures
• Recommendations for possible alternatives and/or support services
• Extenuating circumstances that will affect your progress toward a degree
  
  

How do I register for my courses?

Visit our Dual Enrollment Academic Advising & Registration Resources Online Student Registration Steps (Home) or On-Site Student Registration Steps (Home) for extensive information regarding upcoming course offerings, registration instructions, and important deadlines. 

How do I drop or withdraw from a course?

During the first two weeks of a semester (or first week of a quad) you are able to drop courses without transcript notation. Please review the Academic Calendar for the specific add/drop deadline for each semester and quad. Specific instructions Instructions for self-dropping a course class can be found on the /wiki/spaces/CAGS/pages/83855672 page Registering for Online Courses or Registering for On-Site Courses pages.

After the add/drop period, you are able to withdraw from a course through 10 weeks of the semester (or 5 weeks of a quad). Please review the Academic Calendar for the specific withdrawal deadline for each semester and quad. Withdrawing from a course does result in a permanent "W" notation on your college transcript. You should discuss the positive and negative consequences of withdrawing from a course with your high school guidance counselor and academic advisor before submitting a withdrawal form. 

How do I choose the right classes to take?

The Dual Enrollment Academic Advising Team has created a helpful /wiki/spaces/CAGS/pages/83857379 Course Planning for Dual Enrollment Students resource page to help you start researching the best classes for you to take. Please contact your academic advisor with any questions you have about this resource.

Should you choose to pursue a degree at UNWSP, Degree Audit is a resource to help you map out and monitor your progress towards degree completion. This tool houses worksheets for all academic programs at Northwestern and can help you determine Core Curriculum (General Education) requirements along with needed degree-specific coursework.

Your worksheet also contains key information, including your:

• Student ID
• Cumulative UNWSP GPA
• Registration Holds
• Declared Major/Minor (as applicable)
• Anticipated Graduation Term (as applicable)
• Etc.

Visit the Degree Audit Tutorials and Degree Audit FAQs pages for more information. Contact your academic advisor with questions about this important tool.