A letter from the Associate Director, Academic Advising Center

Tips for First-year Students

Welcome to the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts and to the resources of the Academic Advising Center. We realize that you have made a big decision in choosing this university and this College. It is a choice you have undertaken in the hope of accomplishing some specific goals that could best be achieved in this setting. The role of the Academic Advising Center is to assist you in making a smooth transition from high school to your new academic home; to introduce you to the resources available on this campus; and to help you plan effective strategies toward the fulfillment of those aspirations that led you to the University of Michigan.

One of your first tasks will be to learn how things work in LS&A and on this campus ­ the policies, procedures, and deadlines. (It's learning how to be "street smart" in this new setting.) To avoid pitfalls and to discover the best experiences, you should work closely with an academic advisor. That person will help you be certain that you understand all the possibilities available to you as well as any limitations defined by LS&A requirements and procedures.

Appointments with general advisors are made in 1255 Angell Hall. Appointments with pre-professional advisors in architecture, business, education, engineering, law, and medicine may also be made here. Concentration advisors are available through individual departments to provide information on the specifics of the "majors" and to help you get the most out of their resources. Your academic advisor can help get in touch with the appropriate people as you explore and finally decide upon your concentration.

RESOURCES

There are many sources of information and assistance available on campus through various offices and the specific departments. The Academic Advising Center and the departments
offering the classes you are interested in and your instructors are obvious and primary sources of advice and information. But there are some other excellent resources that may not be as obvious to you.

Most residence halls have an academic advisor from the LS&A Advising Center who keeps regular advising hours in the building. This person is an excellent, convenient resource to consult. These advisors can also be reached easily and confidentially through the University's e-mail system. Working in partnership with the LS&A Academic Advisor is an Academic Peer Advisor (APA). This person is a highly trained student resource who lives in the residence hall and who is able to give you accurate information and an informed student's perspective on academic issues you will face and the resources and strategies that will help you best handle the new academic responsibilities and challenges you will face this year.

All residence halls have Resident Directors, Resident Advisors, and Multicultural Peer Advisors who, as experienced students, can direct you to appropriate sources of information, experience, and assistance. The residence halls also have libraries and library staff who can help you learn all about the many different research facilities available to you and how to use them. You will also find a variety of special programs and services in the halls ­ computer classes, study skills sessions, computer equipment, and much more.

The Academic Advising Center has a staff of Peer Academic Advisors who are trained to answer quick questions about policies, degree requirements, deadlines, and campus resources. They are available on a walk-in basis. This service is known as the LS&A Peer Academic Advising Office. It is staffed by LS&A students who are available on a walk-in basis and who are ready to discuss with you a wide variety of issues, topics, and questions.

LS&A Office of Academic Information and Publications handles all of the College's academic information publications, as well as maintaining the Student Academic Affairs (SAA) website. You should take the time to explore this on-line resource because it will be of great use to you throughout your academic career here. Here you will find information about the Advising Center, its staff and its resources; LS&A degree requirements, policies and procedures; the LS&A Course Guide; Academic calendars and exam schedules; and lots of links to other useful sites within the University. This is a resource that never gets lost and is available at 2 am when your question occurs to you. The website address is:

http://www.lsa.umich.edu/saa/

You will find that many departments operate a variety of special services to support your studies and academic interests. For instance, the Math Department operates the Math Lab where students can seek individualized help with problems and concepts; the Sweetland Writing Center has its Writers' Workshop where you can get advice about the progress and quality of any writing project you are working on.

A NEW START

We take great pleasure in welcoming each year's group of first-year students. This is an exciting transition from one phase of your educational career to the next. Remember that the role of your academic advisor is to help you accomplish your goals here.

Best wishes in your newest academic undertaking.

Virginia J. Reese, A.M.L.S.
Associate Director, First-Year Advising
LS&A Academic Advising Center