Advising Intern Training Mini Cases

Created and used at University of South Carolina - Columbia

1. Susan has been struggling with fitting in and transitioning at USC since she began in the fall semester. She declared biology as her major, did alright in BIO 102, but is currently not doing very well in CHEM 111. She has been struggling with roommate issues, not connecting with people in her residence hall and in general unsure of what she wants to do. Her chemistry professor recommended that she come to Cross Campus Advising to see if there were other options, because she was having a lot of difficulties with chemistry. Throughout the appointment you learn that she is really unhappy, unsure if she wants to be in college, and says that she feels really alone at USC. What could you say to help her? What might be the best plan of action from here on out?

2. Bethany is a second semester freshman student, and has loved her experience at USC and thinks that she wants to be an elementary education major. She has been living in Wade Hampton residence hall this year, and her roommate is someone that she just met this fall. Overall they have been friends, but pretty much keep to themselves and have different social circles. Bethany has stated that she cannot study in her room, because her roommate is always playing music, having friends over and staying up really late so Bethany can’t sleep. Bethany is worried that her grades will slip and that she will not be able to get into the education program. What can you tell her? Are there resources you should direct her to?

3. Steven is a transfer student from USC Lancaster where he was an undeclared major taking some of his general education classes to transfer to USC Columbia. He did fairly well with a 2.9 GPA during his first year at Lancaster, and now he is in his fall semester at USC. He began to take some classes towards a civil engineering major, which he thought he would be interested in, but was struggling a lot in Math 142 and ECIV 111. His professor recommended that he come speak to someone in Cross Campus Advising, to help Steven learn all his major options and hopefully help him find the best fit. At his appointment, in early October, he reveals that he would like to drop both of the classes that he is failing and take a W, which would make him a part-time student with 9 credit hours. What suggestions would you make to Steven? How could you help him?

5. Sarah is in the spring of her freshmen year and she has to solidify an academic major prior to selecting classes for next fall. She was always successful in math and sciences throughout her life, but she could never picture herself in a career that related to either of those subjects. Her parents consistently keep telling her that math and sciences are the best route, and they will give her the most options when she graduates. Sarah’s true passion lies within art, media arts and graphic design, but her parents do not feel as though that is a profitable or realistic major to be selecting. What could you say to Sarah to help her? Resources or offices she could use?

6. John, a freshman on the track and field team, has been struggling with his chemistry major all year. In high school, the sciences had always interested him and he always did well, without a lot of effort or studying. His original plan was to continue with chemistry and possibly pursue medical school or something similar once he graduated college. Now it is February and John feels as though he cannot put enough time into studying, so he wants to change to an easier major. John wants to know what his options are for changing majors. What do you tell him? How do you help him?

7. Matt has been trying to solidify a major, but he is unsure about what major matches with his interests and could also lead him to a career that he will enjoy. He is currently a first semester sophomore and needs to solidify a major so he can progress towards a degree. Matt as consistently been a strong reader and writer, and enjoys his introductory English classes so far, but is unsure about his future. He has contemplated a variety of careers such as: being a teacher, book author, newspaper writer, possibly write plays or scripts for movies, or even be the story writer and researcher for news stations. Matt is wondering what major or college would best fit his interests. What would be the best suggestion for this student? What should be his next steps as he tries to decide on a major/career?

Graduate Assistant Training Case Studies

Created and used at University of South Carolina - Columbia

  1. Jenna is a second semester freshman who is currently a Nursing major, and is not performing well in her CHEM 102 course. She is concerned about her success in the program, and disappointing her parents. Jenna confesses that it has always been her dream to work in a hospital, and she seems really upset by the idea that she may not make it in the program. What things do you need to consider? What are some things you should talk with Jenna about?
  1. Corey is not a happy guy. His parents have been on his case because he decided during the second week of school to drop a course, which took him down to 12 credits. They are afraid that he is going to lose his LIFE scholarship if he doesn’t complete 18 credits the next semester. Also, he is now thinking he might need to drop another course because he hasn’t attended for the past three and a half weeks. What are some things you need to talk to Corey about?
  1. Randy mentions in your meeting that he might want to change his major. He is not sure what he is interested in, but knows he doesn’t want to stay in HRTM. He thinks his best option is to just “become undeclared” for a few weeks to think about it. What things do you need to consider? What should you do?
  1. Kelly has been a student in the Moore School of Business since her freshman year. After two semesters of trying, she has not met the progression requirement of passing Calculus. She says she doesn’t know what to do because she still really wants to go into the business field. What things do you need to consider? What should you do?
  1. Bryan is a Chemistry major who is not doing well in Organic Chemistry. He has taken it once already and failed, and is nervous he is going to do so again this semester. This is a requirement for his major, and he seems really upset by the idea that he may need to consider changing academic paths. What are some things you should talk with Bryan about?