How to advise online students proactively

Many advisors who work on campus know a student is struggling before they say a word. After all, the student’s expression and body language can reveal their frustration and anxiety.

But online advising is different. Advisors often work with online students by phone, email, or text — formats that don’t offer the same cues as in-person advising. Therefore, online advisors must use different tactics to discern a student’s mental state or desire for help.

This article outlines the four essential elements of the Online Learning Advising Model (OLAM), and how this proactive advising approach addresses these issues and helps online students succeed.