Academic Advising & Mentorship Flashcards

A student wants to change their major from nursing to business mid-semester. The advisor's FIRST step should be to:

Answer: Explore the student's motivations and the implications of the change before acting

Understanding why a student wants to change majors—and what impact the change will have on credits, financial aid, and timelines—must precede any administrative action.

The concept of 'transfer shock' in academic advising MOST commonly refers to:

Answer: A temporary GPA dip transfer students experience during their first semester at a new institution

Transfer shock is a well-documented phenomenon where students who transfer between institutions experience a GPA decline in their first semester due to environmental and academic adjustment demands.

Which of the following is an example of a SMART academic goal in a mentoring context?

Answer: 'I will raise my chemistry grade from a C to a B by attending tutoring twice weekly for the next six weeks.'

A SMART goal is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound—only option B meets all five criteria with a clear metric, strategy, and timeline.

When a mentee shares confidential personal information during a mentoring session, the mentor's ETHICAL obligation is to:

Answer: Maintain confidentiality unless there is a mandatory reporting situation such as imminent harm

Confidentiality is foundational to the mentoring relationship, with legally mandated exceptions (e.g., imminent harm, abuse disclosure) being the only justification for disclosure.

An advisor is helping a student plan their schedule for the next academic year. Which of the following considerations should be given the HIGHEST priority?

Answer: Ensuring degree requirements are met and prerequisites are satisfied

While student preferences matter, ensuring that courses fulfill degree requirements and prerequisites maintains academic progress and prevents costly delays in graduation.

Which of the following BEST describes the role of cultural humility in academic advising?

Answer: Maintaining a lifelong commitment to self-reflection and recognizing power imbalances in advising relationships

Cultural humility goes beyond cultural competence by emphasizing ongoing self-reflection, acknowledgment of institutional power dynamics, and openness to learning from each student.

A student contacts their advisor the night before a major assignment is due to report a family emergency. The MOST appropriate advisor response is to:

Answer: Provide empathy, document the contact, and guide the student on the institution's emergency withdrawal or incomplete procedures

Advisors should acknowledge the crisis, document the communication, and connect the student to appropriate institutional procedures while recognizing that grade decisions rest with the instructor.