Students at TCL are required to meet with an assigned academic advisor to plan their course schedule, review their degree plan, and discuss goals and questions. Advisors help students understand program requirements, select appropriate courses, and provide referrals to campus resources. The document provides information on finding an advisor, when to contact them, what to expect from advising meetings, and how to view degree plans and search for courses online.

1. Advising at TCL
(All students are required to meet with
an academic advisor to plan an appropriate
course schedule. We here at TCL want to make
sure you get started on the right track. )

2. Who is my advisor?
• The mission of the TCL Advising program is to enable students to become self-
directed by providing a collaborative environment to facilitate achievement of
persona, educational and career goals.
• Every student is assigned an academic advisor based on the program of study you
have declared.
• You can obtain contact information for your academic advisor by logging into your
Self-Service account and going to the “Advising” tab.
• You will need to contact your advisor and schedule a meeting to register for your
classes, if you have not done so already. If you have difficulty finding your Advisor’s
information, contact the Admissions Office at 843-525-8207 or Admissions@tcl.edu
• Online students can schedule phone advising appointments. Be prepared with
questions!

3. When do I contact my Advisor?
• It is best to contact your Advisor 1 month before registration starts.
• Before meeting with your Advisor, be sure to do the following:
– Review your Degree Plan-this is a tool designed to help you and your advisor
create a course schedule and track your progress toward a degree. This is
obtained on you Self-Service account.
– Preview what courses are being offered in the next semester-use your Self-
Service account to plan your schedule or refer to the course-search tool on the
TCL website. https://www.tcl.edu/course-search/

4. What should I expect?
• Students should:
-Be prepared to discuss and explore your goals and plans with your
advisor.
-Review the upcoming course offerings and come prepared with tentative
course selections.
-Ask questions!
-Be open and willing to consider advice provided.
-Become knowledgeable about campus policies, procedures, deadlines
and resources.
-Inform your instructors and advisor when something disrupts your
ability to attend classes or interferes with your academic
performance.

5. What to expect from your Advisor?
• Advisors will:
– Help students identify and develop academic goals in line with their interests and
abilities.
– Assist students in understanding curriculum and program requirements and assist
with course selections based on their goals.
– Support students as they navigate the educational system with responsive listening
skills, confidentiality, sensitivity and respect.
– Ensure that students are part of the advising process and provided with the
opportunity to become more independent and self-directed.
– Keep regular office hours and respond to e-mails/calls in a timely manner
– Clarify college policies and procedures as needed; instruct students on where to find
college policies and procedures.
– Provide referrals to campus resources when needed.

6. How can I view my Degree Plan?
• Go to www.tcl.edu and hover over Quick Links and click on Self-
Service.
• Log-in to Self-Service
• Go to my progress
• View your progress toward degree. You can access this in your
advising meeting with your instructor.

7. Course Search
• Go to www.tcl.edu/course-search
• Click the link that says “course search”
• From the “Term” dropdown menu, choose the semester you’re
interested in.
• Scroll down, and click “submit”
• A list of the courses offered will be displayed along with all of the
details for each course.

8. If you have trouble at any time accessing your
Self-Service account, please call the TCL
Help Desk at 843-525-8344.