Highline students say having — and using — an adviser can help you get through college.
Although students have long been assigned to faculty advisers, the college is adopting an intentional new process, in which students will be assigned to an adviser and asked to meet with them once a quarter.
Students will still be allowed to choose their own adviser, but every student will get a faculty adviser either way.
Students who have met with their advisers say it has helped.
“I talked to an adviser to find out about what classes I need,” Sohani Choudhary said.
“I think an adviser would be super helpful because I still have a lot of questions about Winter Quarter and things that my high school counselor can’t answer,” said Natasha Koshelnyk. “I just think that an adviser would be helpful if I have any questions about college.”
Some students say they have been too busy to meet with their adviser.
“I haven’t talked to an adviser this quarter, I haven’t had the time,” Naupleet Kawr said.
Others say they make use of their faculty adviser regularly.
Pablo, who only gave his last name, is a civil engineering student at Highline and he often talks to his adviser once or twice per quarter.
“They make sure you follow the path and the necessary path,” Pablo said. “I think it’s good, they are helpful.”
Idiana Easter is also an engineer student at Highline.
“I think it’s important to know what classes to take. I think there are different requirements and it’s hard to know what classes to take,” he said.
Chizuru Osaima is working toward an associate of arts transfer degree. Osaima sad she talks to her adviser, who is also her professor, once a quarter.
“I think it’s very important , because it tells me which classes fit me and I’m thinking of transferring to university and they tell me what classes are considerable for me to transfer to,” she said.
“He is a psychology professor and he can recommend some psychology classes. He can always write recommendation letters for your university. It’s very important for me” Osaima said.
On the other hand, Osaima said that “Sometimes, the Highline College students are not satisfied with advising. My friend told me that her advice didn’t tell her much about registration. Her ISP (International Student Programs) advisers sometimes are more helpful.”
“Right now, not every adviser is on campus. I feel meeting advisers in person or on campus is more helpful. I suggest meeting with an adviser in person instead of on Zoom,” she said.
Kali is a business major. “I like to talk to them at least two times per quarter,” Kali said of her adviser.
“More availability. Like at the beginning of the quarter, there isn’t much availability and it’s hard to talk to them as they are only available for a short time, ” Kali said.
LiBan Ali is another business major at Highline. “Once I look for prerequisites I would ask some adviser about class and requisites. Each quarter, about time,” he said.
“It’s important because sometimes I kind of don’t know what classes to take. When talking to my adviser, she guides what classes I should take. Sometimes, I take classes outside of my program.. We go over the program audit,” Ali said.
He prefers in person advising, Ali said.
Kimberly is studying biology at Highline. Kimberly talks to the adviser once every month, she said.
“I think it’s pretty good and efficient. You can contact your adviser pretty quickly,” Kimberly said.
A respiratory care student referred to as C.C., said “I think it’s very important, they guide you to pick the right classes, leading toward your major.”
Still, she would like more access to advising.
“I think the advising center can be more flexible with their schedule and more open with their students. They should extend their hours more. They should have an appointment on Zoom. They should be more available,” C.C said.