1. Introducing the Academic Advising Model
The principles underpinning the design of the model
The model
Why use the model
Applying the model
Using supporting documentation

2. Principles: Personalisation and developing independence and confidence
Academic advising should make use of and not seek to reproduce the infrastructure around student support (including employability) and the wealth of resources available to students via existing internal and external sources
Academic advisers personalise academic and pastoral support (the caring face of a large institution – with electronic resources – websites don’t care)
Academic advisers should draw on their knowledge of their discipline, their own skills and of their advisees to offer support
Model should embed principles of developing independence & self- confidence within a supportive environment

3. Principles: Supporting student employability
Supporting students with employability should be as practical as possible
Supporting students should be about helping them to reflect and to recognise the importance of working to develop confidence in their employability
Flexible so that it can be used with students who are more or less confident and engaged
The model should be complementary to the My Future-Next Steps model (5 key themes: Communicating & Influencing/Exploration & Stretch/Building Connections/Enthusiasm, Drive & Persistence/Recognising & reflecting on skills)

4. Academic Advising Model
Discuss
Prioritise
Implement
Reflect
Agree priority.
Set deadlines.
Review progress.
Explore thoughts & feelings.
Provide support.
Working Together
Student’s Responsibility
Review achievements.
Consider your approach.
Reflect on progress.
Make a precise plan.
Do it!
Discuss Sheet
Student Action Sheet

5. Why use this model for Academic Advising?
It can be applied to all students, regardless of the stage in their university career
It is devised to develop independence and confidence in a supportive environment
It empowers the academic and student to work together to identify a an individual student’s challenges, aims and priorities
It uses the skills and experience of academics to ask questions, to prioritise to meet aims and to work collaboratively to achieve goals
It places importance on reflection and learning from actions
Supporting documentation allows recording and monitoring of the process

6. Applying the Model
The process outlined in the model can be applied to three key domains of student life:
Academic progress
Wellbeing and personal development (developing self confidence)
Employability and future focus

7. Supporting Documentation & Guides
Academic Advisors & students should make use of the Discussion, Prioritising, Implementation and Reflection sheets
Example documents are provided to show how the process might work
Recording the priorities and actions by saving the files for individual students will aid discussion and allow monitoring of achievements over time
Academic Advisor & Student forms and ‘Making the Most of the Model’ documents are available on the TLSO ‘academic advising’ webpages