Student Advisory

What is student advisory?

A student advisor is someone on school staff—teacher, librarian, or administrator—who provides a student or group of students with guidance on their personal and academic goals. This is done using individual and group meetings. At the critical time of adolescence, students require the emotional and social support that advisory provides. At NYMA, all attempts are made to keep advisory groups small so that they function best with most instructors managing between 6-10 advisees. However, the student's need to feel comfortable with their advisor is an important consideration.

What are the benefits of student advisory?

Through an advising group, students become part of a "built-in" peer group that provides security for new and returning students alike. In general, the advisee moves through the academic program having the same advisor. This allows the advisor, advisee and advising group to develop a level of trust and understanding required to help the student to progress through potentially difficult and challenging situations. This comfortable group can help build a student's self-esteem and offset negative influences.
 

What is the focus of NYMA's student advisory program?

As an NYMA advisor will have a diverse group of students, often across several grade levels, the focus and requisite tasks will vary. However, there are more general focus areas where an advisor can serve all advisees.

The advisor will

• serve as an advocate assisting students with academic and behavioral issues;
• build community amongst the group members;
• reinforce skills necessary for success;
• alert group members to opportunities for community service/service learning, scholarships, internships and other programs that offer valuable services to the student.