Leaving home to attend college after high school can be hard on anyone, especially if you’re hours away from home and away from your family for the first time. Although I was lucky enough to only be two hours away from home, making that transition from high school to college was difficult. To make things more complicated, I wasn’t sure of what I wanted to get my degree in. Luckily, when you enroll at Penn State you will be assigned an academic adviser to guide you through the next four years.

Before I began my freshman year, I met with my adviser, Brooke at Penn State Mont Alto. She told me that I could enroll in Discover House as a Division of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) student to explore my degree options. Brooke helped me with exploring my options and asked what my interests were. Initially I wanted to be a business major, but after Brooke told me how many math classes I needed to take (I hate math), I quickly changed my mind. Thank you Brooke!

At the end of my freshman year, Brooke accepted another job at Penn State Harrisburg, so meeting with my new adviser, Kate I realized that I wanted to enroll in the College of Communications as a public relations or journalism major. It was great knowing that even with an adviser change, I would have a new one that was just as wonderful!

Academic advisers are in a way like high school guidance counselors. High school guidance counselors guide students throughout their high school careers and assist them in preparing for their post-secondary endeavors. When you go through New Student Orientation (NSO) at Penn State, your academic advisers will help you select your courses for your first semester and assist you in course selection during each semester as needed, meet with you periodically to make sure you’re on the right track and when it’s time make sure you’re set to graduate.

Stephanie and I at a Schreyer Honors College recruiting fair.

Transferring to University Park, I met two new advisers, Shelley and Stephanie. Working with Stephanie, who is also a recruiter for the College of Communications I realized that I wanted to be a college recruiter as well, so this semester I became her intern to plan recruiting and admissions events. In four years, I’ve had phenomenal advisers to make my college experience a less stressful one.  You will too, so never hesitate to go to your advisers for help. They love what they do and will gladly assist you in any way possible.

For the Glory…