Economics or basket-weaving? Acad. Advising helps you choose

It is a fairly cemented fact that most students attend Hopkins for its academic opportunities. Navigating the competitive world of academics here, as well as anticipating the next phase -- be it graduate school or the job hunt -- can be quite a daunting task. The first step is to realize that you sometimes can't do it all on your own. After that, all you need to do is ask for help.

There are so many different avenues to receive advising here at Hopkins that simply keeping track of them all can seem overwhelming. Once you get a handle on it, however, you will realize that there are so many different people here to help you excel over the next four years and beyond.

During the summer, those of you that are Arts & Sciences students received a temporary advisor in The Office of Academic Advising. You will have this advisor until you declare a major.

For those in the Whiting School of Engineering, you have declared a major have an advisor in the Office of Academic Affairs.

Even if this isn't the advisor you will have for the entirety of your four years, you should take advantage of their guidance.

They can help you pick out new classes, deal with any of your time management problems, and for those of you who are undecided about your major, help you figure it out.

Students in the school of Arts and Sciences declare a major at the end of freshman year or the beginning of sophomore year. It is at this point that you will receive a specific advisor in your department.

Beyond your general academic advisor, there are other specific advisors that address everything from studying abroad, careers, graduate school and tutoring.

For many students, the array of study abroad programs offered by Hopkins is a huge boon to their college years.

Usually undertaken during junior year or the first semester of senior year, study abroad programs give students opportunities to put the languages they've been learning for years to use, as well as experience life in far-flung cultures.

The study abroad advisor, Dr. Ruth Aranow, who works in the Office of Academic Advising, is there to make your wildest dreams come true -- helping you plan time abroad anywhere from Bologna, to Africa, to Paris. Anyone who might want to study abroad should draw on Dr. Aranow's knowledge.

There is also the Office of Pre-Professional Advising. For all of you Pre-meds out there this could end up being your home away from home. Mary Savage heads this office which centers around helping students get into med and law school.

For those of you who plan to go straight into the real world after graduation, there is the Career Center. Take advantage of the excellent advice they offer there and make an appointment. They can help you work on your resume, engage in a job search and find internships across the country.