The Advisor

It was my Sophomore year.

I went into the Advisors office ready for my appointment. This was it, I was changing my major from nutrition to Pre-physical therapy. I was so excited about this change because prior to the meeting,I had done research on healthcare professions and physical therapy stood out. 

As I walked into my appt. I sat down and she asked,  “how may I help you today?” I replied that I would like to change my major from Nutrition to Pre-Physical Therapy. She replied “oh ok let me look you up I can help with that.” Then a few seconds later, she looked at me, and then she looked back at her computer. She then said, “Are you sure you want to change your major?” I replied yes...thinking to myself that I wouldn’t have wasted my time coming here if I didn’t. She then replied with “I just want you to be sure that this is what you want to do, as of now you don’t have the grades to get into physical therapy school. Physical therapy is a rigorous program and extremely competitive.” Now at the time, I thought nothing of this response and just replied yes I’m sure. 

Reflecting on that experience guided my thoughts on academic advising. I feel like a lot of academic advisors fail to fulfill their duties as an advisor. Advisors have one of the most important jobs on campus. An advisor should be there to help guide you in the right direction, not tear you down. Having a good advisor can literally be a life-altering experience. I felt that instead of questioning my decision, she could have offered some actual advice that would help me. Instead of filling my head with doubt and feelings of unworthiness, provide actual GUIDANCE. After all, it is your job. Or did she just second guess all the Black students who wanted to pursue majors that she thought were “out of our league.”

After this appointment I never went back to the advising office.