The Director's Corner

February 3, 3036

Guest Edition: Getting the most out of Honors advising with Suzanne Hunter

Happy February, Honors community. I am Suzanne Hunter, associate director of academic affairs, and I’m excited to bring you this guest installment of the Director’s Corner. My area of Honors includes academic advising, faculty relations and Honors course offerings.

I joined the Honors College nearly 11 years ago as part of the advising team. From the very beginning, I recognized that Honors advising offers so much more than the basic goal of picking classes for the next term. As we enter advising season this spring and students prepare to develop their summer and fall registration plans, I think this would be an ideal time to talk about how you can get the most out of your advising appointments with your Honors advisors.

When you prepare for your advising appointment, I encourage you to think beyond a progress check or plan for the next semester. Think about advising as an opportunity to imagine, plan and shape your Auburn journey with purpose. Honors advising is designed to be holistic and personalized, and a little preparation can make your conversations even more meaningful.

To get the most out of your appointment time, come prepared. Spend a little time reviewing your Honors block in DegreeWorks or the Honors curriculum guide in Canvas. Read emails and Canvas announcements to learn about opportunities and upcoming course offerings that might catch your eye. It can also be helpful to keep an easily accessible running list of questions between advising meetings that you can review the next time you meet. When you come prepared and take these actions ahead of your advising appointments, your advisor can spend less time covering the basics and more time on intentional planning, discussing opportunities related to your goals and dreams.

Honors advising is not all about what Honors courses you need to fulfill your Honors designation. It is about helping you enrich your academic experience and exploring opportunities for the next chapter of your academic and professional life. We want to hear about your aspirations, even if you do not feel they directly impact your Honors progress. Whether you are considering picking up a minor, applying to professional school, getting involved in research, studying abroad, aiming for an external scholarship or simply discussing career paths that draw your interest, your Honors advisor is here to listen and support you. The more you share, the better we can help you build a plan and find opportunities that align with your interests and goals.

I encourage you to view your advisor as more than a check box for course scheduling but as a dynamic relationship that can help you navigate resources and opportunities to achieve your vision of success. So, as you schedule your next Honors advising appointment, choose to make the most of your advising time. Prepare by knowing the basics, asking clarifying questions, bringing your curiosity and being open to discussing your long-term goals.

As an advising team, we look forward to navigating your academic journey with you and serving you through this chapter while preparing you for the next.

Suzanne Hunter

Associate Director of Academic Affairs, Honors College