Definition and Importance of Academic Advising

Academic advising assists students in the utilization of institutional resources to maximize the understanding of educational benefits available to them for supporting their educational needs and aspirations. Arguably, academic advising is “perhaps the only opportunity for all students to develop a personal, consistent relationship with someone in the institution who cares about them” (Drake, 2011, p. 10). Academic advising is a multifaceted activity. There are five dimensions that are significant to the advising process. They include exploration of personal goals, exploration of career goals, review of academic program, selection of courses, and scheduling of classes (O’Banion, 1972). More specifically, advising should assist students in understanding the maximum educational benefits available to them:

• Help students to clarify their values and goals and to better understand themselves;
• Help students to understand the nature and the purpose of higher education;
• Provide accurate information about educational options, requirements, policies and procedures;
• Plan an educational program consistent with a student’s interests and abilities;
• Assist students in the continual monitoring and evaluation of their educational progress;
• Integrate the resources of the institution to meet the individual students’ educational needs and aspirations.