Advisor's Quick Guide to working with adult learners

Pre-appointment checklist

• Respect the preferred contact method. Are you meeting on Teams? Zoom? Phone? Do they likely have access to their WSU email or are they using a personal address?
• Check the Warrior Way Back status. WWB students will need to complete a WWB Advising Agreement, but other students do not.
• Verify that DegreeWorks and STARS are correct. DegreeWorks will likely need to be manually updated by the program advisor. Older students may need a manual request to add information through Records.

Please Do

• Ask about work hours/course load balance.
• Check for financial holds and remind the student to contact Financial Aid.
• Talk about student support services, such as SDS, ASC, Adult Learner advisor, etc.
• Have an honest discussion about course availability and their schedule.
• Ensure transfer credit is accurate and up-to-date.
• Follow up with a step-by-step email to their preferred email address.

Please Don't

• Send emails to a decade-old WSU email account.
• Endorse a full-time course load without a larger conversation.
• Use academically-coded language.
• Disregard the value of the time spent away from pursuing a formal education.
• Assume the student has a support network - be sure to suggest resources and use specific names of contact people.

If a student would benefit from extra support, send them our way!  We are happy to receive referrals from anyone across campus and outreach from students reach out to us at adultlearners@wayne.edu or use our appointment calendar in STARS.