Seeking a second opinion always helps with the decision-making process. ​Knowing what to ask, who to ask, and when to ask is key.

Most college students usually inquire and act on the advice from the first “reliable” source they encounter.

And, of course, “reliable” can mean a trusted but often uninformed source, like a peer or campus staff person.

Questioning the validity of the information and/or the information source rarely occurs to them.

Quickly solving the problem is all that matters at the moment.

For example, if they’re having an academic problem or challenge in school, they’ll ask a peer, friend, and/or family member their opinion first before actually going directly to an official source, such as an academic advisor.

Study after study continually documents that seeking advice from an academic advisor is usually an afterthought for most college students.

Only when it’s a requirement like semester registration and/or an academic discipline issue, do they seek professional advice.

Developing an ongoing, consultative relationship with an academic advisor is a missed networking opportunity for many students.

And, as a result, seeking second opinions is not necessarily in their wheelhouse of college success strategies.

And it really should be.

So What’s the Benefit Again?

Although seeking second opinions is standard practice in modern medicine today, in higher education, students are often fearful of “over stepping” their perceived boundaries, so to speak.

What they don’t realize is that the caseloads of academic advisors range anywhere from 1 to 200 to 1-600, depending on the size of the institution.

So most academic advisors have full+ caseloads and appreciate information resourceful advisees.

Colleges and universities assign academic advisors to students during the New Student orientation process.

Most students think that it’s a permanent assignment. In reality, students can change advisors if compatibility becomes an issue.

If you think that you and your advisor are not communicating on the same plane, then make a change!

That’s why it’s so important for new students to begin nurturing their own “team” of advisors during their freshmen year.

By doing so, they can seek second opinions without fear of insulting their assigned academic and/or faculty advisor.

Getting curbside consultation from their assembled team of advisors can certainly benefit new students, especially first-generation students and adult learners.

Analyzing and evaluating any sought after information and/or information source is a worthwhile skill set to nurture as a college student.

Just imagine what you can do with it once you enter the world of work!

Access to choices, options, and opportunities will be boundless!

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