Purposeful Advising

We are here to guide you.

We know that planning for your first year of college can be overwhelming and we want to get you started off on the right foot. The Student Success Center is here to assist in the transition, help you find your first year path and, most importantly, help you discover what you want out of your college experience!

The First Step

Over the summer, our advisors will contact all new students to discuss your courses for your first semester, answer any questions you may have and advise you as you fill out and submit your forms. After that, take a break and enjoy your summer!

Don’t stress! We are thrilled to have you joining our community, we want help you begin to connect with the College and we are here to help!

Your First-Year Advisor

Each first-year student is assigned a success advisor who will mentor and guide your journey and exploration throughout your first year. As part of the Student Success Center, these advisors are here for you, welcoming you to campus on Move-In Day and meeting with you at least once a semester to check in and help you make connections.

What do you want to learn more about? What activities do you want to get involved in? What matters most to you?

Together, you will begin to explore what you want out of college and reflect on your semester, your goals, and how we can best help you get connected on campus.

We believe that every Saint Michael’s student has their own unique journey. Your experiences have shaped you and the Student Success Advisors are here to support you as part of your advising team.

Purposeful Learning Course

We want you to find your place, so we designed a one-credit course, the Introduction to Purposeful Learning course, to help you learn all about the College, equip you with the tools you need to be successful and use reflection as a powerful tool for growth.

The required course is facilitated by a range of instructor from all different areas of campus life and takes place over the first eight weeks of the fall semester.

In this course, we focus on the transition to college. College life is very different from high school and we want you to take advantage of all that St. Mike’s has to offer while making sure that you have all the information and connections you need to thrive. You will learn about the College’s mission, engage in our community, and consider your place and purpose as you enter this transformative time.

Each Purposeful Learning section has a Peer Mentor, an upper class student who offers their perspective and shares their experiences with first year students.

Student-Centered Events

The Student Success Center provides a welcoming space in the upper level of the library – a place to hang out, study, attend events and build community and connections.

Take a look at photos from some of the first-year and sophomore events we have hosted and stop by the office for coffee hours, cocoa and cookie decorating, housing/roommate mixers, and our annual gingerbread house decorating competition.