10 Guilty Pleasures for Academic Advisors (and other higher education professionals)

Every once in awhile we all need to sit back and enjoy the simple things in life...or some funny things on the internet...This is my list of my top 10 guilty pleasures for those of us who work with students on a daily basis. They have brought me much joy and hopefully they will make you smile as well.

1. Diagnosis Undecided Part 1 & Part 2

Just watch and you'll see. Part 1 is particularly funny while still getting its message across very well.

2.: The Chronicle Discussion Forum- In the Classroom

This forum is geared towards professors but anyone can read it. Interesting student excuses, dilemmas and ethical decisions when dealing with students...you name it this forum has discussed it. This is a must read for me. 

3. Go to class with a student

I heard this tip while attending a conference last fall and it has stuck with me ever since. We are constantly telling our students to go to call, how to manage their time, where to sit in the classroom...but how long has it been since we've actually been in a classroom. Check one out if your student is OK with you accompanying them. Most large lecture courses won't even notice that your there. 

4. Watch Animal House or any of these other films about Higher Education 

The more movies I watch about higher ed, the more I realize how much I love it. Take some time and see how accurately our role is portrayed. Watch the film from the perspective of an advisor rather than from a casual viewer. There are great examples and lessons to be learned. 

5. Watch a (or 10) TED Lectures

If you haven't heard of TED yet, you are missing out! These lectures come from the minds of some of our most influential thinkers and range in topic dramatically. There truly is something for everyone. Each lecture that I have watched has left me with the feeling of having learned something. 

6. Create an update on 12seconds and broadcast it via twitter 

12seconds is a video microblogging site. It allows users to post a 12 second clip that answers the question "What are you doing right now?". This is just a fun and interactive way to blog and keep a record of your day to day life. 

7. Listen to a soothing Pandora radio station while your advising (I throughly enjoy the Spa station)... Take it a step further by using the BalanceBall Chair as your primary seating utensil

No comment needed. This is an exact description of my office on a daily basis. 

8. Read some student bloopers

The World According to Student Bloopers

Student Bloopers-History of the World

The Chronicle's Student Bloopers

9. Interact on the NACADA Facebook Page (Also a great networking tool!)

A welcoming environment to get started using Facebook while connecting with your collegues. 

10. Do a search for yourself on Ratemyprofessors.com ; I did a search for "academic advisor" on the site and it revealed a plethora of results- some faculty advisors and some professional advisors.