ASK ADVISOR ALEX
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Advisor Alex’s Apt Advice for the Week of September 17, 2007

• Start studying now! It is easy to get lulled into poor study habits at the beginning of the semester when workloads are light. But now is the best time to get on top of your subjects and start working with learning centers or tutors in subjects that give you difficulty so you won’t be overwhelmed when tests ad papers come due. http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/currentstudents/academicsupport.shtml
• Take care of yourself as summer ends and fall sets in. The Wellness Education Center has a variety of health and wellness workshops and screenings to help you stay healthy and at ease: http://studentservices.hunter.cuny.edu/wellness/wellness_calendarofevents.htm

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Ask Advisor Alex and Other Apt Advice for the Week of September 17, 2007

• I’m not sure Hunter is right for me.
• What’s the difference between “No Classes” and “College Closed”?

Dear Advisor Alex:
This is my first semester here and I’m not so sure Hunter is right for me. I’ve been going to all my classes, but none of them are really that interesting to me, and I haven’t made any friends. I feel kind of lost and lonely. Should I transfer to another school?

Thanks,
Discouraged Dina

Dear Discouraged:
It is common for new students at Hunter to go through what you are experiencing. It is a new environment with a lot of people, and because it is a commuter school it can be a bit difficult to feel “at home”. But none of these feelings are necessarily signs that Hunter is the wrong place for you. It is still very early in the semester and as things become more familiar you may start to feel better.

In the mean time, talk to an advisor about ways to get involved and connected, http://studentservices.hunter.cuny.edu/advising/advising_availability.htm, go to the 69th Street Club Fair from 12:00-5:00 on 9/19 and find a group that you’re interested in, http://hunterusg.org/content/view/1/1/, and talk to a personal counselor about those “lost and lonely” feelings http://studentservices.hunter.cuny.edu/pcs.htm.

Taking specific actions to overcome your isolation will help to speed up the acclimation process, as well as give you a sense of control over your surroundings.     

Always,
Advisor Alex

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Dear Advisor Alex:
I’m confused. On the academic calendar some holidays say “No classes scheduled” and others say “College is closed”. What’s the difference?

Sincerely,
Bewildered Beatrice

Dear Bewildered:
An excellent question and a common point of confusion! On the academic calendar, http://registrar.hunter.cuny.edu/pdf_folders/fall2007acad_cal.pdf, when holidays are listed as “College is closed”, there are no classes and the offices are physically closed, so you cannot access any offices on those days. On holidays that are listed as “No classes scheduled”, there are no classes in session, but the college offices and facilities are open, although sometimes on a limited schedule. These days can be great opportunities to have quick and easy access to the OASIS, advisors, the library and other business you may have been putting off attending to because there are fewer students on campus and virtually no waiting! Just give a call first to check their availability.                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                    Always,
Advisor Alex

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For more advisement information or questions, check out the advisement website: http://studentservices.hunter.cuny.edu/advising.htm
Contact Student Services at: 212-772-4882, Room #1119-East
Contact a Peer Advisor in the Student Center at: 212-650-3282, Room #417 West

For previous editions of Advisor Alex Apt Advice and Ask Advisor Alex letters, please visit: http://studentservices.hunter.cuny.edu/advising/advising_askarchives.htm

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