How to Kick Off a Pathways Advising Session the Right Way
Whether you're a seasoned professional or a high-achieving student offering peer guidance, your first few minutes with a client set the tone for everything that follows. Students (and often parents) are looking for clarity, direction, and confidence. Here’s how to start strong and ensure your sessions are impactful from the get-go.
✅ 1. Prepare Ahead of Time
Before the call, take 3–5 minutes to review:
- The student’s submitted questions or goals
- Their academic background (from the intake or profile)
- Any materials (résumés, transcripts, essay drafts, etc.)
💡 Being prepared shows professionalism and respects the student’s time.
🧠 2. Start With Rapport—But Keep It Brief
Open with a friendly greeting and a quick introduction:
“Hi! I’m Priya, a Columbia sophomore majoring in Political Science. I remember how overwhelming this process was—excited to help you navigate it.”
Keep it personal but focused. A minute of connection builds trust without losing momentum.
🎯 3. Clarify the Goal of the Session
Always ask:
“What’s the most important thing you want to walk away with today?”
This centers the session around the student's needs and sets clear expectations.
🛠 4. Anchor the Session With a Plan
Frame the structure:
“Let’s spend 20 minutes on your school list and 10 minutes on next steps. Sound good?”
This creates a focused environment and shows you respect their time and goals.
📋 5. Keep the Session Interactive
Encourage participation. Pause after major points:
“Did that make sense?”
“Want to go deeper into that?”
Use the Pathways workspace or shared tools for real-time collaboration when needed.
🧭 6. End With Actionable Takeaways
Wrap up with clear deliverables:
- “Narrow list to 10 target schools”
- “Draft intro paragraph for personal statement”
- “Try 2 SAT reading sections this weekend”
If helpful, recommend relevant Q&A threads or advisors for specialized topics.
📝 7. Submit a Written Summary of Learnings and Action Items
Immediately after the session, advisors are expected to:
- Summarize the main takeaways from the conversation
- List clear next steps or action items for the student
Add this summary in the designated notes section of the session. The Pathways system will automatically send this to the student via email and archive it in their dashboard.
🎯 This is essential for continuity, accountability, and delivering real value.
🙋♀️ 8. Ask for Feedback
Take 30 seconds before closing:
“Was this helpful for you? Anything I can do better?”
This reinforces professionalism and helps you refine your style.
💬 Bonus Tip: Answer Questions to Grow Your Audience
Between sessions, answer real student questions on the Pathways Q&A board. This builds credibility and drives more session bookings—plus you earn from each reply.
Final Thoughts
Great advising begins with structure and ends with accountability. By preparing well, actively listening, and leaving students with a clear written roadmap, you provide value that goes far beyond a 30-minute session.
🔗 Ready to make an impact? List yourself as an advisor today.