How Can I help My Stanford student get the most out of Pre-Major Advising?
1. Ask your Stanford student: Who is your Pre-Major Advisor and what does he/she do at Stanford? What is he/she like? Where do you meet and how/when will you schedule your quarterly check-ins?
2. Talk with your student about his/her experiences with different kinds of advisors and advising: Have you met your Academic Advising Director yet, and where is his/her office? Have you gone to your instructor’s office hours? Who are you inviting to Faculty Night at your residential dining hall?
3. Encourage your Stanford student to plan for the quarterly meeting by brainstorming what questions, concerns or challenges, interests, decisions, or aspirations he/she might want discuss with his/her PMA.
4. Share your own experience about how you use advice in your own life. How and when do you seek guidance? What was the most helpful advice you ever received? How do you recognize good (or bad!) advice when you hear it?
5. Stress that asking for advice, like asking for help, is a smart way to take advantage of everything that Stanford has to offer.
6. Reassure your Stanford student that while a good advisor may not have all the answers, a good advisor can help him/her:
- articulate questions
- find answers, support, or other resources
- connect with faculty
- narrow and clarify interests
- identify opportunities like research, service learning, internships, or special programs
