Simon Fraser University
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Student Services

Academic Advising

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Contact General Academic Advising 

Is this service right for me?

This service is for you if you are

check A newly admitted student;
check An undergraduate student with fewer than 60 units and undeclared;
check An undergraduate student who is experiencing academic difficulty; or
check An undergraduate student with fewer than 60 units, declared, and wanting to change your major.

If you have been approved in an area of specialization, or are ready to have a specialization (major or minor) approved, you should contact the appropriate departmental advisor.

Have you declared your major and/or accumulated over 60 units?

Please contact your program/departmental advisor.

Are you a First Nations, Métis, or Inuit student?

Please see the Indigenous Office.

Are you an NCAA student-athlete?

NCAA student-athletes should contact the NCAA Academic Advisor.

Advising services options

Please choose from one of the following:

Option 1: LiveHelp

This is a secure, online instant messaging system where you can connect with an Academic Advisor, just as you would through Facebook Messenger.

LiveHelp hours are:

  • Monday–Friday: 9:00 am – 10:30 am* and 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm

>> Go to LiveHelp.

*Morning IM cancelled on Friday, October 11

Option 2: Drop-In Advising

15-minute drop-in advising is available for quick, course planning questions.

Drop-ins are available at the Surrey (check-in at the Registrar) and Burnaby (Student Central, top floor of the Maggie Benston Centre) campuses.

Important:

  • You must bring your SFU Student ID to reserve a spot.
  • You can sign up for a drop-in time no earlier than 15 minutes before the start of the drop-in advising period.

Note:

  • You are not guaranteed a drop-in time.
  • Each student's eligibility for a drop-in time will be determined by the Academic Advisor.
  • Drop-in times are subject to change without notice.

Current Schedule, Monday to Friday:

Burnaby campus, Student Central

11:00 am – 12:30 pm

5:00 pm – 6:30 pm (Wednesdays only)

Surrey campus

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm*

5:00 - 6:30 pm (Wednesdays only)

*Surrey drop-ins cancelled Thursday, October 10 and Friday, October 11

Option 3: 30-minute Advising Appointments

Book your academic advising appointment via goSFU or by phone

  1. Book an appointment via goSFU
    1. Log in to goSFU with your SFU computing ID and password.
    2. In the Academics section of your Student Center, click on the drop-down menu and select Appointment Booking from the list.
    3. Select the term for which you would like to schedule an appointment.   
    4. Select the area for which you require academic advising. Provide additional appointment details.
    5. Click the Next button.
    6. Use the Search Criteria to narrow down the available appointment times.
    7. Click the Search button.
    8. Select the appointment you would like to book.
    9. Remember to hit the Save button!
      • If you get an error message at any point while attempting to book an appointment, please email myadv@sfu.ca for assistance.
         
  2. Book an appointment by phone
    • Please call 778.782.6930

Ensure that you see the right advisor for your needs

See below for the advising services offered through Student Services. When booking an appointment, please state the main reason for the appointment:

Advising Services
 Topics Discussed

Academic difficulty (all undergraduate students)
  • Academic standing and continuance (On Academic Probation, Continued Academic Probation, Required To Withdraw, Extended Withdrawal)
  • Withdrawals under Extenuating Circumstances (WE)
  • Course repeats
  • Readmission after being Required to Withdraw

Course and program planning
  • Selection of degree(s), program(s), and/or certificate(s) *
  • Program admission for undeclared students and students who wish to change programs **
  • Meeting lower division program requirements for a major, minor, or extended minor
  • Course selection
  • Referrals for resources available around campus
  • Program changes

* excluding: upper division questions, graduation, honours, second degrees, and post-baccalaureate diplomas (see the department)
**excluding: Engineering Science, Interactive Arts and Technology, and Contemporary Arts programs (see the department)

Other
  • FAL/ FAN Hardblocks
  • Professional Schools

Making the most of your academic advising appointment

To help you prepare for your appointment, we suggest that you:

  1. Review the Academic Advising Syllabus PDF  : this will help you understand:
    • when you should see an academic advisor, 
    • our advising approach, 
    • what you will learn through advising, and 
    • how we can help you succeed at SFU.
  2. First appointment with us? Fill out the New Student Academic Advising Information form PDF  and bring it with you to your first appointment. Your advisor can clarify any questions you might have about the form at the start of your appointment.

If you are a new student, complete University Prep first before meeting with an academic advisor to help you come prepared.