Academic Advising

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Academic Advising at Stonehill

At Stonehill, advising is organized by major. New students are assigned a faculty advisor based on their academic interests and always have the option to change as their interests evolve.

Those students who are exploratory or undecided on a major are assigned an advisor that can help them explore their interests. The goal of the advising program is to guide and empower students towards the identification and fulfillment of their academic, personal, and professional goals.

Students can request a specific advisor by filling out a change of advisor form available in our office or on our forms page. Additionally, students are also welcome to request a secondary advisor with whom they have a strong mentoring relationship.

Students and advisors should meet at least every semester to discuss course selection, degree progress, career planning and academic progress. 

What do Academic Advisors assist with?

During the course registration period

• Providing you with course recommendations and your individual PIN, which is required to register for courses
• Providing guidance in selecting courses that will help you to make progress towards: the Cornerstone Program; your chosen major(s)/minor; exploring an area of interest
• Planning for program, goal, and interest exploration in future semesters
• Clarifying the timeline for adding/dropping courses, or withdrawing from a course (available on the academic calendar)

Beyond registration

• Articulating personal and professional goals for your college career
• Helping to interpret the Stonehill curriculum and creating a 4-year academic plan
• Guidance for choosing the right major or minor
• Identify strategies for becoming successful in a course where you may be struggling
• Connecting you with other on-campus resources for academic support

Navigating an Advising Session

Prepare

Reflect. Prior to taking the next steps with your course selection, set aside some time to consider your progress and options. Are you happy, content, and excited about your trajectory? Are you enjoying your current courses? What is it that you do or do not like about them? Do you have any new areas of interest that you would like to explore further?  Who can be a resource and mentor to you as you continue to grow?  Be ready to talk to your advisor about these considerations.

In advance of the meeting, review your myAudit and see what courses you still need to complete. Come prepared with a list of possible courses you would like to take with times and sections that work for your schedule. Make a list of any questions you may have prior to the meeting to make sure you do not forget anything while you are there. The more prepared you are the easier it will be for your advisor to assist you through the advising session.

• Review myAudit on myHill
• Review Cornerstone Program
• Review major requirements

Communicate

It is very important to communicate effectively with your advisor. Whether it is for course advisement, academic difficulties, or general questions it is up to you to ask those questions and come prepared. Also, keep in mind when you are communicating with your advisor to put your cell phones away and any other distracting materials to make sure you are giving your advisor your full concentration.

• Be honest and candid
• Ask questions
• Share your goals, strengths and interests

Explore

During the meeting, ask your advisor for options to explore your desired major or outside interests. Your advisor is skilled in the area of their expertise and will be able to assist you in choosing the right courses for your major. Along with your major courses you will have some electives which allow you to explore different disciplines. Your advisor, as well as the Academic Services & Advising and Career Services offices can assist in major exploration and course interests.

• Refer to Academic Advising for major exploration, course selection and academic assistance and time management
• Refer to the Career Development for major exploration, internship and career exploration, Strong Interest Inventory

Conclude

When concluding the meeting you want to make sure you have gotten all your questions answered, or have been given resources to assist in answering those questions. The advisor may not have every answer at that moment, so ask for a follow up meeting to review later. Walk away with some goals from the meeting, whether it be short term – course registration, or more long term goals such as studying abroad or internships. Remember, your advisor is here to assist you throughout your college career so take advantage of their knowledge and prepare for your future.

• Ask for a follow up appointment should there be a need for one
• Follow up throughout the semester, check in periodically with any questions you may have

Useful Planning Tools for the Advisor and Advisee:

myAudit

Students access myAudit through the "my academics" tab in myHill. Advisors access myAudit through the "faculty services" tab.  The quick guide for using myAudit highlights the functions below.

• Provides a snapshot of degree requirements
• Calculates progress towards degree completion
• Provides exploration of major and minor changes through "What-If" function
• Allows access to major GPA and GPA advice calculators

Worksheets

• Course Registration Planning Worksheet - for planning the next semester's schedule, during the course selection time
• Four Year Planning Worksheet - for looking at how your whole degree will fit in over the course of your time at Stonehill (including off-campus academic goals, such as studying abroad or doing an internship program)

Course registration tips and recommendations

• Registration Tips for First-Year students 

A guideline for speaking with your advisor and meeting the Cornerstone Requirements.

• Advising and Registration Tips for All Students

Important reminders and suggestions for the course selection process.