College can feel overwhelming. Your Student Success team is your support network during your time at UMass. Your team may include Academic Advisors, instructors, tutors, Peer Mentors, RAs, supervisors, and other staff from offices across campus. Like any good team, you’ll need to set clear goals, work together, and communicate regularly.
Questions
Who is my advisor?
All undergraduate students receive academic advising through their school or college. Find your major advising information in the Academics tile on your SPIRE Student Center. Additional information about advising can also be found here.
Who's on my team?
Some members of your team are assigned (for example, your Academic Advisor and Peer Mentor), while you’ll need to discover others on your own (instructors, employers, etc.).
How do I build my team?
Reach out to and get to know people in your immediate circle and beyond. Visit instructors and TAs during office hours, use tutoring services, look for on-campus employment, apply for leadership opportunities, and go to events – just to name a few ideas.
When should I reach out to my team?
Early and often! Begin building your team before you need them. Communicate with them regularly with questions and updates.
How do I reach out to my team?
It depends on the person, but connecting with people in-person or via Zoom is always a good idea. If you’re going to email people, be professional and polite, using basic email etiquette.
How can I use Navigate?
All undergraduates at UMass have access to Navigate. You'll use Navigate to schedule appointments with campus resources, review course progress feedback and connect with your success team (advisors, professors and more).
Through Navigate, you can connect with:
- Academic Support (Learning Resource Center)
- Academic Advising, Research & Exchange Programs (Office of Undergraduate Research & Studies, Domestic Exchange, and Education Abroad)
- Student Financial Services (Smart about Money)
- Success & Wellness resources (Center for Multicultural Advancement and Student Success and Success Toolkit Series)
Advisors and other staff who use Navigate participate in mandatory training about student privacy, holistic advising, and the appropriate and supportive use of available data. Learn more about how to use Navigate by watching the video - Academic Tech Tools: Navigate.
