The Story of the Good Advisor

*Note: This is a true story, based on actual people and events. Names have been changed to protect the privacy of those involved.

Once upon a time, there was a young girl named Amanda*. She was 18 years old, and her parents had just announced their divorce to her and her younger brother. Amanda moved with her mother and brother to the Midwest, thousands of miles from the New England home where she had lived her entire life.

Amanda decided to attend college at the state university in town. However, she lacked direction or a clear plan for her life and did poorly in classes. After two years of wandering, she decided that college was not for her, and she left.

Working at a GAP in the city, her academic advisor visited every three months without fail. Ms. Advisor left her business card and an encouraging remark for Amanda, reminding her that if she decided to return to college, Ms. Advisor would help her every step of the way.

After two years of these visits, Amanda walked out of the GAP and back into the gates of State U. She marched into Ms. Advisor's office without an appointment or any forewarning, sobbing over her feelings of lostness and failure.

Ms. Advisor picked up Amanda's mantle, connecting her to a full-ride scholarship and sources of support for students like Amanda. With these connections and Ms. Advisor's constant guidance, Amanda graduated from State U in two years with honors.

Amanda now has a Master's degree in higher education and advocates for students like herself in her position as a coordinator of Student Activities at Big Texas U. She hopes to earn a Ph.D. after gaining more work experience. Amanda concluded her story by saying, "Ms. Advisor changed my life. I wouldn't be where I am today without her."

And that is what I can only hope a student will say about me someday.