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Northern Illinois University

Orientation & First-Year Experience

advising

Academic Advising Preparation

Students will meet with an academic adviser as part of Orientation. The information below will help you understand NIU's advising system.

NIU provides a multifaceted advising system to meet your individual advising needs. Within each college and department, faculty and staff advisers provide accurate and up to date information on academic programs, policies, procedures, and deadlines. Students who have not yet selected a major or college receive advising assistance from the Academic Advising Center.

Advisers can help students:

  • Explore academic interests and determine an appropriate major
  • Design a program of study to meet your individual interests and needs
  • Assist in mapping out course schedules and preparing for registration
  • Monitor students' academic progress
  • Help clarify students' educational and life goals
  • Find activities and opportunities to enhance students' academic experience.

Students are responsible for their academic progress at NIU. They must make decisions based on the information, alternatives, limitations, and possible consequences as they explore with their adviser. To develop and maintain a good advising relationship, it is the students responsibility to:

  • Read and use NIU's Undergraduate Catalog (part of the materials given at orientation)
  • Know the requirements of the specific academic program
  • Monitor their academic progress
  • Initiate and maintain regular contact with their adviser
  • Create and maintain an advising file
  • Bring the advising file to every advising session
  • Schedule and keep advising appointments
  • Be prepared for advising meetings.

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