What to Expect From a Northern Arizona University Advisor Appointment

What happens at a NAU advisor appointment

A NAU advisor appointment is a one-on-one meeting with an academic advisor assigned to your major or college. The advisor reviews your degree requirements, helps you plan which courses to take each semester, and answers questions about graduation timelines, major changes, and academic policies. Most appointments last 20 to 30 minutes and happen either in person at the advisor's office or online through Zoom.

Your advisor is not a counselor or therapist — they focus on the academic side of your degree. If you need mental health support, academic coaching, or help with study skills, NAU has separate services for those. Your advisor can point you toward those resources if you ask.

Key Takeaways

• Book your appointment through the NAU advising portal or by calling your college's advising office directly — walk-ins are possible but waits can be long.
• Bring your student ID, your degree audit (available in your student portal), and a list of questions about courses or requirements you are unsure about.
• Advisors can help you register for courses, understand prerequisite chains, and plan semesters ahead, but they cannot override grades or change academic standing decisions.
• If you change majors, you will be assigned a new advisor in your new college, and your old advisor can help you understand how credits transfer to the new degree.

How to schedule a NAU advisor appointment

The fastest way to book is through your college's advising portal, which you can access from the NAU student portal under "Advising" or "My College". Most colleges let you see available time slots and book online. If the portal is not working or you cannot find your college listed, call the advising office directly — the phone number is on your college's website under "Contact" or "Advising".

Walk-in advising is available at most NAU colleges, but wait times vary. During peak registration periods (usually mid-October and mid-March), walk-in waits can be 30 minutes to an hour. Scheduling ahead is worth the small effort.

If you are a first-year student, your college may require you to meet with an advisor before you can register for courses. Check your college's website or your email for any registration holds that mention advising.

What to bring and how to prepare

Bring your student ID and have your degree audit open on your phone or laptop. Your degree audit shows which requirements you have completed, which ones are in progress, and which ones are still ahead. You can find it in your student portal under "Degree Progress" or "Academic Records". This one document saves time because your advisor can see exactly where you stand without hunting through your file.

Write down three to five questions before you go. Common ones include: "What courses should I take next semester?", "Can I take this course before finishing the prerequisite?", "How do I change my major?", "Will this course count toward my degree?", or "When can I graduate?". Advisors work faster when they know what you need.

If you are meeting online, test your internet connection and camera beforehand. Join the Zoom call a minute or two early so the advisor does not have to wait for you to connect.

What advisors can and cannot do

Advisors can help you understand degree requirements, plan your course schedule, explain how prerequisites work, discuss major or minor changes, and point you toward resources like tutoring or disability services. They can also discuss graduation timelines and help you understand your degree audit.

Advisors cannot change your grades, override academic standing decisions, waive degree requirements, or enroll you in courses — you do that yourself through the student portal once you have registered. They also cannot make exceptions to NAU policy, though they can explain the policy and sometimes direct you to someone who can grant an exception.

Changing majors and switching advisors

If you want to change your major, tell your current advisor first. They can explain how your completed courses will count toward the new degree and whether you will lose credits in the transfer. Some courses count toward multiple majors; others may not count at all in your new program.

Once you officially change your major through the registrar's office (usually done online in your student portal), you will be assigned a new advisor in your new college. Your old advisor can still answer questions about how your old credits transfer, but your new advisor will handle all future planning.

The change takes a few days to process in the system, so do not be surprised if your old advisor still shows up in your portal for a week or two after you submit the change.

What to do if you miss your appointment or need to reschedule

If you cannot make your appointment, cancel it through the portal or call the advising office as soon as you know. Canceling ahead opens the slot for another student and keeps your advisor from sitting in an empty office.

If you miss an appointment without canceling, some advisors will send you a reminder email. If you miss a second time, your college may place a registration hold on your account, which blocks you from signing up for courses. If that happens, contact your advising office to explain and reschedule.

Rescheduling is simple — just book a new slot through the portal or call. There is no penalty for rescheduling as long as you do it before the appointment time.

After your appointment: registering for courses

Your advisor will recommend courses, but you register yourself through the student portal under "Registration" or "Course Search". Registration opens on a set date each semester — your college will email you when your registration window opens. First-year students usually register later than seniors, so do not panic if your friends register before you.

If a course is full when you try to register, you can join the waitlist. The system will automatically enroll you if a seat opens. Check your email regularly during the first week of the semester in case you get off a waitlist — you will have a short window to confirm you still want the course.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I meet with an advisor if I am not sure what major I want?

Yes. If you are undeclared or exploring majors, you will be assigned to a general advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences or your college's exploratory program. They help you understand different majors and plan courses that count toward multiple degrees. Once you declare a major, you switch to an advisor in that college.

What if my advisor is not helpful or I want a different one?

You can request a different advisor by contacting your college's advising office. Explain briefly why you want a change — personality fit, scheduling conflict, or a specific expertise you need — and they will reassign you if possible. Most colleges have multiple advisors, so a switch is usually straightforward.

Do I have to meet with an advisor every semester?

It depends on your college and your academic standing. Some colleges require advising before registration; others recommend it but do not require it. If you are on academic probation or have a registration hold, you must meet with an advisor before you can register. Check your student portal for any holds on your account.

Can an advisor help me if I am failing a class or on academic probation?

Advisors can discuss your course load, help you understand which classes might be easier or harder, and point you toward tutoring or academic coaching. They cannot change your grade or remove you from probation, but they can help you plan a semester that sets you up to succeed and explain what you need to do to get off probation.

What if I need to talk to someone about mental health or personal problems affecting my classes?

Your advisor can refer you to NAU's Counseling Services or Student Support Services, but they are not trained to handle mental health issues themselves. If you are in crisis, contact NAU Counseling Services directly or call the campus crisis line — the number is on NAU's website under "Mental Health Resources".