Academic Advising

If you are a new student, read “New Student Information” to assist you with the transition into SAFS and to learn about available resources.

Try to complete your chemistry, biology and calculus sequences in your first two years.  These classes will greatly enhance your learning experiences in higher level courses, and you will be able to concentrate on the skills-based classes in your senior years.

Run a degree audit report (DARS) before and after registration every quarter.  If there are unexpected results, email me and explain the discrepancy.  This report becomes your application for graduation, so it should be always kept up to date.

I send a Registration Update email out one week before registration starts. This email has a LOT of important and helpful information.  I recommend that you read the email carefully and keep it until a week after classes start the next quarter.  Most registration questions will be answered in the email; thereforefore it is better to wait until you have received the email before contacting me about individual questions. Also, click on Degree Planning Tools.  I will post the same information there, and will include updates on courses in other departments that could also count toward your AFS degree.

If you have questions, you are welcome to stop by and visit me in FSH116. If I’m not in, you can sign up for appointment on the calendar outside my door. For less urgent questions, please email me (ssosafs@uw.edu). You are also welcome to call me at 206 543-7457.

Faculty and TAs are better able to respond to student needs, both professional and personally, if students talk to them. Our Faculty are very interested in open communication with their students because it facilitates our learning goals. Take advantage of the fact that you have access to experts in our field; ask questions and discuss the content of classes, even if you are a newer student. If you feel uncomfortable speaking in a larger class, meet with your teachers after class. Talking to faculty is a very effective way to get research opportunities in faculty labs, and obtain stronger letters of reference for internships, scholarships, and graduate schools. 

There are countless opportunities at the UW and in SAFS.  Subscribe to the Envirolink Blog to learn all about them!  Postings in the blog will include topics such as research and internship opportunities, scholarships, courses of interest and special events. 

Students tend to do better academically when they are engaged in the department.  Get to know your professors and teaching assistants, get involved with a student group, attend the departmental seminars, volunteer for a research project.  Check out our community webpage.

Finding solutions to a problem gets increasingly difficult as the problem becomes larger.  If you are facing challenges in a class, talk to the professor or TAs early, use campus tutoring programs such as CLUE, or talk with me.  If you are facing non-academic challenges, don’t wait.  Talk with me or use other campus resources. I can help you explore your coursework options for the quarter and refer you to more resources on campus or off.  I can also help you communicate with your instructors, if appropriate.

Don’t wait until your senior year to plan your career.  Try to do one activity every quarter towards your career development; attend workshops to explore your career directions, take steps towards developing a resume, attend a career fair, visit the career center.  Explore our career webpage for more resources.

If you are approaching graduation (2-3 quarters from the end of your program), review this webpage to make sure that you are fully prepared for graduation!