Higher Ed, Real Talk
Dr. Herman Crawford’s Dean’s Desk

 

I review graduation records regularly.

Every semester, I come across students who are just one course short.

Sometimes it’s a prerequisite they didn’t know they needed.

Sometimes it’s a class they thought counted toward graduation—but didn’t.

And almost every time, I find myself thinking the same thing:

This could have been prevented with one conversation.

The most important meeting many students never attend isn’t a job interview.

It’s an advising appointment.

Unfortunately, advising is often viewed as something students do when they have a problem.

In reality, it’s one of the best tools for preventing problems in the first place.

Research consistently shows that students who receive proactive academic advising are more likely to stay enrolled, complete their programs, and reach graduation on time. Advising provides more than course recommendations—it gives students confidence, direction, and a clearer picture of what’s ahead.

I’ve learned that students rarely struggle because they lack ambition.

More often, they struggle because they lack a roadmap.

When students understand:

• where they’re going,
• why they’re taking each course,
• and what comes next,

they make better decisions with greater confidence.

Good advising isn’t paperwork.

It’s navigation.

The Takeaway

One conversation today can prevent one semester of frustration tomorrow.

If you’re a student, schedule the meeting before you think you need it.

If you’re a faculty or staff member, encourage students to meet with an advisor early and often.

Sometimes the shortest meeting has the longest impact.

Higher Ed, Real Talk publishes on the third Thursday of each month.

Reference

Mu, L., Fosnacht, K., & Eagan, K. (2024). Academic advising and student success: A systematic review of the literature. NACADA Journal.

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