Academic advising is an important part of your Lawrence education; in fact, it can play an important role in defining your education and even your life after Lawrence. 

As a student at Lawrence University, you are responsible for planning and pursuing your own educational program. You are able to make your own decisions and choose appropriate options. Your academic advisor will help guide you through these important tasks.

Your advisor can assist you in:

  • understanding the curriculum
  • identifying your strengths and weaknesses
  • setting your goals
  • effectively utilizing the resources of Lawrence

Building a strong relationship with your advisor helps you get the most out of your Lawrence education.

Types of Academic Advisors

 

SUMMER REGISTRATION ADVISOR

Summer registration advisors will assist you with fall registration during the summer before you start at Lawrence University. 

Pre-major advisor

Before you arrive for Orientation, you’ll be assigned a pre-major advisor in your degree program. Double-degree students will be assigned to two advisors, one for each degree. You'll meet with them for the first time during Orientation. Your pre-major advisor will help guide you through the liberal arts education at Lawrence, discuss your interests and goals, assist with course registration, and help you adjust to college-level academic expectations. Because the pre-major advisor is here to help you explore your interests and understand the general curriculum, pre-major advisors come from all areas of the College and Conservatory. It is unlikely that your pre-major advisor will come from the department in which you are considering a major, unless you are a transfer student who has already completed at least a year of college. You will continue to work with your pre-major advisor until you officially declare a major.

Major advisor

You will transition to a faculty advisor within your declared major by the end of your sophomore year (ideally before spring registration begins). Your major advisor will continue to help you reflect upon your interests and goals, while also offering support for course planning in the major. You will have a faculty advisor for every major that you declare. 

Find your advisor

You can find your assigned advisor(s) in Voyager. Look under "View Your Program History & Academic History." Assignments for new students will appear in late summer.

Find your assigned advisor

Spring Registration & Advising Holds 

Each Spring Term, you will register for classes for all three terms of the following academic year. Be sure to meet with your advisor as you plan your future class schedule, as you will also need your advisor to release your "advising hold" in Voyager before registering for classes. The advising hold is a way to make sure you receive the appropriate guidance before you register for classes.

Important Resources

Majors, Minors, & Programs
Find more information about our areas of study including their requirements. You can contact department chairs and program directors for specific questions. You will also find program-specific advising resources linked under "Additional Resources" at the very bottom of program pages. 

Declare a Major/Minor/Interdisciplinary Area
Use this form to declare a major, minor, and/or interdisciplinary area. Students should declare a major by the end of their sophomore year, but ideally before spring registration begins.

Change your Academic Advisor
Use this form to change advisors after declaring a major. You can also use this form to change academic advisors at any time, provided you have consent from the new advisor. 

Class Schedule
This helps you plan your schedule and be prepared ahead of your advising meetings.

Course Catalog
This is the official record of Lawrence’s requirements. It has full information about requirements and academic procedures and regulations.

Academic Procedures, Regulations, and Forms
This page provides an overview of key academic procedures (e.g., dropping a course, requesting an incomplete, withdrawing from Lawrence, etc.).

Registration Schedule
This page provides an overview of key registration periods (including waitlist open dates) for the 2022-2023 academic year.

Career Center
Learn more about connecting your academic interests to your career goals. Find support for internships, job searches, and more.

Center for Academic Success
Discover a wide array of support and services including academic skills classes, tutoring, accessibility, and more.

Questions or Concerns?

For any additional questions or concerns about academic advising, please email advising@lawrence.edu.

Email Advising

For Academic Advisors

Be sure to refer to the Academic Advising SharePoint site for the Advising Handbook and advising resources.