How do I have successful discussions with an advisor?

The Academic Advising team is your primary resource regarding academic issues, opportunities, and programs and could perhaps be thought of as the coordinator of your educational experiences.  

Which parts of advising are my responsibility?

Take the initiative to contact an advisor when you have questions or ideas to discuss. Be knowledgeable about policies, procedures and requirements outlined in the student handbook. Ask questions if a policy or procedure is unclear. Keep an advisor informed about changes in academic progress, course selection, and academic/career goals. Read your college e-mail and mail regularly. Follow through on actions you decided with an advisor. You can connect with an advisor by emailing AdvisingDE@unwsp.edu.

Which parts of advising are the advisors' responsibility?

The advisors 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 do I ask my professor and what do I ask anadvisoran advisor?

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

• Questions about the syllabus
• Questions about the course site, especially is if something does not seem to be working correctly
• 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?

How do I withdraw from or drop a course?

During the first two weeks of the semester, you are able to drop courses without transcript notation. Please review the Academic Calendar for the specific add/drop deadline for each semester. To drop a course, review the registration information.

After the add/drop period, students are able to withdraw from a course through 10 weeks of the semester. Please review the Academic Calendar for the specific withdrawal deadline for each semester.

Before withdrawing from a course, you should discuss the positive and negative consequences of withdrawing from a course with your high school counselor and academic advisor before submitting a withdrawal form. 

Degree Audit is a tool to help you map out and monitor your progress towards degree completion. It houses worksheets for all programs offered at the University of Northwestern – St. Paul and can be used as a tool to determine general education requirements, as well as major specific requirements. 

Worksheet contains some key information about you including your Student ID, Cumulative GPA, Major, Minor, Anticipated Graduation Term, Registration Hold, as well as progress made towards all degree requirements.