Your Advising Roadmap: When to Connect
Knowing when to connect with advising to stay on track
Academic advising supports you at every stage of your journey at CSUEB—from enrollment through graduation. Meeting with an advisor at the right moments can help you make informed decisions, avoid delays, and stay confident about your path to graduation.
Use the sections below to understand when and why you should seek advising support.
Start / Enrollment
When you’re beginning your journey at CSUEB
You should meet with an advisor when you are:
- A newly admitted student
- Preparing for orientation or first-term enrollment
- Unsure who your main advisor is
- Transitioning from another institution
How advising helps at this stage:
- Confirms your assigned main advisor
- Provides course recommendations
- Supports enrollment and orientation needs
- Helps transfers understand how credits apply
Suggestion: Meet with an advisor early—even if you feel prepared—to ensure you’re starting with a clear and accurate plan.
Academic Planning
When you’re planning courses or reviewing requirements
You should see an advisor when you are:
- Planning your next semester’s classes
- Reviewing your Degree Audit (DAR)
- Using degree roadmaps or planning tools
- Considering changes to your academic plan
How advising helps at this stage:
- Creates or reviews your academic plan
- Ensures courses align with degree requirements
- Helps you stay on track for timely graduation
Suggestion: Schedule advising before registration opens to avoid last-minute stress and course availability issues.
Support & Coaching
When you need additional guidance or academic support
You should seek advising or coaching when you are:
- Feeling overwhelmed academically or personally
- Adjusting to college expectations
- Needing help with study strategies or time management
- Experiencing academic difficulty or Academic Alert
How advising and coaching help:
- Provides one-on-one academic support
- Connects you with Peer Academic Coaches or Success Coaches
- Offers proactive check-ins and personalized guidance
Suggestion: Don’t wait until challenges escalate—early support can make a big difference.
Ongoing Guidance
When you want to stay on track and make progress
You should meet with an advisor when you are:
- Checking in on your academic progress
- Reassessing goals or timelines
- Exploring internships, career pathways, or graduate plans
- Navigating changes that affect your plan
How advising helps at this stage:
- Adjusts your academic plan as needed
- Coordinates support with faculty and coaches
- Helps you make informed decisions over time
Suggestion: Think of advising as an ongoing partnership, not a one-time meeting.
Graduation Planning
When you’re preparing to finish your degree
You should see an advisor when you are:
- Approaching your final year
- 草莓社区ing for graduation
- Verifying remaining requirements
- Planning your final semesters
How advising helps at this stage:
- Confirms graduation eligibility
- Identifies any remaining requirements
- Helps you finish strong and on time
Suggestion: Meet with an advisor at least one year before graduation to avoid surprises.
When in Doubt - Reach Out
If you’re unsure whether you need advising, it’s always okay to connect. Advisors are here to help you plan, adjust, and succeed throughout your time at CSUEB.