Imagine Paying for a Meal You Never Eat

If you walked into your favorite restaurant, ordered a meal, paid the bill… and left without ever receiving it, how would you feel? Angry? Frustrated? Cheated? Probably all of the above.

Now, imagine this in college. About a month into the fall semester, I’ve already talked with students who, when asked about meeting with their academic advisor, say things like:

"Oh, they’re the only advisor for the entire major, and I can never get a meeting because their calendar is always booked or they’re on vacation. So I just choose my own courses and follow the curriculum guidelines."

Why Advisors and College Resources Matter

If you’re a midlife student, returning to college, or have a child or loved one in college, hear me out: ignoring your advisor, skipping networking, or passing up career opportunities is like paying for a meal you never get to eat—and it’s far more costly.

Many students think they’re on track to graduate, only to discover missing credits or required courses later. This doesn’t just delay graduation; it delays entering the workforce and can cost thousands of dollars.

Your college resources, especially your academic advisor, are there to help you:

• Stay on track with graduation requirements

• Identify career-accelerating opportunities

• Discover a major and career path you love

• Prepare for economic mobility and personal fulfillment

But they won’t come to you. You must seek them out and ask for what you need.

Take Action Today

Don’t navigate college alone. If your advisor or support staff are hard to reach, contact college leadership to get the personalized help you deserve and are often promised at the time of admission.

Remember: Rarely is a career path linear. The curriculum is just one piece of the equation. Build your network, leverage your experiences, and take advantage of every opportunity available to you.

💡 Action Step: Schedule your next meeting with your academic advisor this week. Stop by their office hours and introduce yourself. Treat every opportunity as essential because your career mobility and personal fulfillment depend on it.

Cheering you on every step of the way,
Linda