Advising


Our Academic Advising team provides program advising, academic planning, and personal coaching to help you reach your educational, career and life goals.

Academic Advisors can help you:

  • clarify your education and career goals
  • explore programs 
  • choose courses that relate to your goals and interests
  • address concerns about your studies
  • develop strategies for academic success from first year to graduation
  • identify skill-building opportunities
  • problem-solve if you are struggling in school
  • explore academic options when faced with personal/family emergency
  • determine where to go for additional information

Think of your academic success as your responsibility, and work with your advisors, your instructors and others to achieve your educational and career goals.

Advising for New Students

Academic advising is available to all incoming undergraduate students.

To make an appointment:

Phone: (902) 893-6729
Email: newtodalac@dal.ca

Make an appointment online

Advising for Current Students

Academic Advisors at the Student Success Centre can help you:

  • choose your program or major
  • understand degree requirements and academic regulations
  • map strategies to achieve your educational and career goals, which may include accommodations
  • assess whether your current program suits your aptitudes and interests
  • develop action plans to deal with academic, or other, difficulties
  • run a degree audit in Dal Online to better understand your degree requirements and GPA

To book an appointment:

  • Phone: (902) 893-6729
  • Email: ssdalac@dal.ca 
  • In-person: Student Success Centre, Dairy Building

Make an appointment online

Advising in your Department/School/College

Academic Advisors in your department, school or college can help you with specific course requirements for their programs.


Before you meet with your advisor

  1. Make a list of questions you want to ask. Try to be as specific as possible—this will help you clarify your concerns.
  2. Look in the Undergraduate Calendar for information about your questions.
  3. Look up academic dates and deadlines that relate to your questions.
  4. Remember that your advising meeting is held in confidence, so prepare to engage in a discussion beyond course choice and program options.

During your meeting

  1. Tell your advisor as much as you can about why you are meeting with them. The more your advisor knows about your situation, the more they can help you.
  2. Be prepared to take notes. Leave space to write your answers next to your questions.
  3. It's always a good idea to write down suggestions your advisor offers so that you remember which steps to take next.
  4. Ask your advisor for help to make a list of next steps if you need it.
  5. Schedule a follow-up.
Register for Stay on Track!
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Stay on Track is a free student success program for first- and second-year students designed to help you discover your strengths while making a plan to achieve your academic and engagement goals.