Information on students in distress
Staff looking for information on how to support a student in distress or an emergency, or refer a student for support should see information on the Sheffield Hallam University Academic Advising SharePoint page.
The Role of the Academic Adviser at Hallam
Academic Advising is an important part of the student support offer at Sheffield Hallam University, and is underpinned by the Academic Advising Framework and Academic Advising Policy.
What are the Key Responsibilities of an Academic Adviser at Sheffield Hallam University?
Being an Academic Adviser at Hallam
The conversations you will have with your students will differ because all students are different. Their different backgrounds and aspirations will shape your conversations, guidance and signposting. Your role as an AA is to help students identify and work towards their goals, understand the transformative process they are undertaking and the positive effect this can have on their lives and future direction. As their AA with knowledge of their academic journey and aspirations you are asked to provide a reference for you students as requested.
Academic Advising should be an inspirational and engaging process for students which can help support them to identify and achieve their aspirations.
1. Academic Progression
Hallam Definition - Developing understanding and skills to enable the successful progression through and completion of academic study.
As Academic Advisers we need to give our students the opportunity to ask questions to aid their understanding of the requirements of academic study. We help them identify their strengths in relation to academic work and provide guidance to enable understanding of key areas for development that can be action planned to develop their academic attainment. Students often seek guidance on how to improve their academic performance; this might mean helping them identify patterns in feedback, suggesting the use of tools or a relevant resource at the Skills Centre. There may also be times that you discuss elective choices with your students or signpost to Module Leaders for module specific queries.
2. Personal Development
Hallam Definition - Improving self-awareness - building confidence, creativity and resilience to contribute to the identification and attainment of personal goals.
Helping students understand the importance of self-awareness, and gaining an understanding of their skills, competencies, qualities and attributes through engaging with self-reflection and discussing the outcomes with you as their Academic Adviser is key to helping students shape and drive their Personal Development.
3. Professional Development
Hallam Definition - Developing professional aspirations, identifying and undertaking CV enhancing activities to enable a successful transition into the world of work.
Professional Development links closely to Personal Development. The understanding students get from focusing on their personal development can help form their professional aspirations helping them articulate themselves well in a professional interview or environment.
Academic Advisers in conjunction with Employability Advisers can guide students in the direction of making themselves as employable as possible in their chosen area. If your students are unsure about their career aspirations you could suggest your student undertakes activities, skill development or volunteering that will help to develop more general transferrable skills to enhance their CV, or options related to further study that would be open to them. Employability Advisers will also be able to support your students with job searches, mock interviews and applications.
Support for Academic Advisers
Academic Advisers are supported in their role in several ways:
Staff can find out who a student’s Academic Adviser is on SITS Online. This information is kept up to date via the AA Allocations Process, which staff can follow to advise of changes, errors or omissions.
