Academic Advising
Academic Advising is a multi-faceted activity that helps students realize the maximum benefits from their educational experience. Academic advising professionals are available to assist students with the following:
- Clarifying values and goals
- Understanding the nature and purpose of higher education
- Exploring educational and career options
- Planning an educational program that is consistent with your needs, interests and abilities
- Selecting courses appropriate for your chosen program
- Assisting with planning for transfer to a four-year institution
- Assisting with monitoring academic progress
- Connecting you with the support services available on campus
Students are encouraged to meet regularly with the academic advising staff.
Students should also seek the assistance of the advising staff during the course of the semester to help monitor their academic progress and offer suggestions to ensure their success.
To make contact with a advisor, please visit the student services office at the campus of your choice. Staff is generally available Monday through Thursday from 9:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. and from 9:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. on Friday.
Choosing a Major
Many entering students are either undecided or tentative about what major or career path they will choose. Moreover, most of those who have declared a major will change their minds before they graduate. It is quite normal for students not to want to declare a major immediately.
Soon into your educational journey you will want to make some decision to ensure that you reach your goals without having taken too many unnecessary courses.
Note: If you are receiving the Pell Grant (Title IV funds) you must select a major (program of study) from the list of programs that have been approved by the U.S. Department of Education.
Some tips for selecting your major:
- Visit the Career Planning and Placement Office. This office can assist you with completing career interest inventories that might suggest possible areas of interest for you to research along with some of the majors that you might choose to pursue
- Read titles and course descriptions of various courses offered at WCCCD, noting those titles that sound interesting to you or that arouse your curiosity
- Investigate the majors offered at WCCCD seeking the assistance of an academic advisor
- Focus on career interests. Find out what majors professionals in those career fields tend to choose
- Analyze your own curiosities and aptitudes. Carefully examine those things that are important to you and how they might influence your career decision
- Talk with your instructors. Ask them about their careers.
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