Advising

The goal of advising is to assist students in creating academic plans that will lead to the successful realization of their educational goals. Through conversation,assessment, goal setting, and strategic planning, students are empowered to create academic schedules that reflect their interests,skills and obligations to family, work, and/or community.

The process of advising at Great Bay Community College is characterized by communication and connection between the student and his/her advisor. It is through a mutual exchange of questions and information that ideas and solutions are generated. The advisor-advisee relationship is potentially one of the most significant partnerships a student will experience while at Great Bay. Students are encouraged at all times to seek out their advisor to ask questions, share concerns, get help, plan for the future, or simply to check-in.

To assist with advising there are members from Great Bay Community College’s faculty and staff. CAPS (Center for Academic Planning & Support) staff members are available to advise all new students (See below). Program faculty advise returning students, meaning those who have attended one or more semesters.

CAPS advisors are also available for those students who have not yet decided upon a program of study.

New Students

New students are those students who have been accepted by Great Bay Community College for the first time, or are returning after a significant absence. New students are directed to visit CAPS for placement testing and to meet with a CAPS advisor to begin the process of academic planning. A CAPS advisor will review and discuss placement scores, career goals, and college readiness. Students will then be asked to return for a small group advising session whereupon they will develop a first semester schedule along with a support plan to ensure their success. The goals of the small group sessions are to: (1) facilitate connections among fellow students; (2) allow time between placement testing and group advising to complete college paperwork; (3) allow time for sufficient conversation with parents and significant others; and (4) provide time for reviewing and processing the wealth of information that falls into the hands of new students.

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It is at Opening Session, that new students will be introduced and connected with their faculty advisors. And it is during the first 6 weeks of college, that new students are encouraged to make an appointment with their program advisor to talk about their interests, progress and adjustment to college.