“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail,” or so goes a quote often attributed to Benjamin Franklin. What does this mean for you, a student just getting started on your health care career path? The more time you put into planning for your career now, the better prepared you’ll be to overcome the roadblocks and decisions you will have to make along the way. Lucky for you, your college likely offers academic advising services specifically developed to help you map the path from college to career — after all, they want to see you succeed!

Academic advisors are experienced, helpful professionals who are dedicated to your success. Your advisor will be very familiar with your college’s requirements for graduating so they can ensure that you’re on track. They can provide guidance in many different ways, from course planning assistance to providing suggestions on how to get the most out of your college experience.

One case when academic advisors can offer very helpful advice is when students are considering a major change. According to a report from EAB, around 75-85% of students switch majors before they graduate. Despite the myth that switching later in their college career could hinder graduation, students actually graduate at about the same rate as those who did not change majors (82% in the second term versus 83% in the eighth term). By talking through your options with an academic advisor, you can ensure that you’re in this group of students who graduate on time even if you decide to shift focus partway through your studies. 

Be sure to take advantage of the experts available to you through your college’s academic advising office. Working with them to prepare for success early means you’ll be on your way to a fulfilling health care career in no time at all.