<p>I'm switching into L&S from Computer Science (took it in high school, realized I didn't like it). My appointment's on Friday. Anyone know if the advising services are good? I need some direction in figuring out what the hell to major in, and I'm just curious if the stuff on campus is good for that.</p>
<p>In my experience, no, they’re pretty useless. Some of my friends have had good advisors though. It’s just really hit and miss.</p>
<p>The career center has “figure out your major” stuff too but I’ve never been there.</p>
<p>horrible/thread</p>
<p>In my experience, UMCP11’s advice is kind of horrible…and not horrible. LTSC advisors are terrific. What we do and what we don’t do? We don’t make decisions for students; we don’t sign up for their classes, and we don’t choose their majors. What we do? We act as a resource to assist students in putting together the items they need to make informed decisions about their major choices. It means that students actually have more work cut out for them than a student who is decided in his or her major. The Career Center, the Counseling Center, professors, advisors in departments, friends, parents, etc.–these are all folks that students need to speak with and listen to advice. That doesn’t even mention actually taking some different courses to experience what’s out there. Once that’s been done, they can talk to an advisor to help them out in making their own, informed decision about what major they wish to choose.</p>
<p>Some students get frustrated because either (1) they are asked to do the worked described above and don’t feel like putting forth that effor or (2) want the University to leave them alone completely and then get frustrated when they run into obstacles.</p>
<p>Your advisor will be as good or bad as you expect them to be. Demonstrate that your interested and willing to make an effort on your side of the equation, and they will certainly rise to the occasion. Just don’t think they are a talk head who will just give you answers to decisions you need to make. It’ll be much more worthwhile.</p>
<p>By the way… The Career Center at Maryland is moving away from “Choosing A Major” type activities. The Counseling Center is a much, much better alternative. And it’s even more powerful when you can discuss what you’re learning about the process with your academic advisor.</p>
<p>Great info, and thanks for posting LTSCAdvisor!!! Both of my DDs earned the respect and got help from their advisors (in different depts/colleges) by doing a lot of pre-planning and research about courses they were interested in before getting to the advising sessions. We were amazed at the number of students who haven’t done this on their own and expect the advisors to make decisions for them.</p>