Meet Your 黑料正能量 Academic Advisors

Kari Shattuck

As the Associate Director for Academic Advising in the Warrington College of Business, Kari Shattuck advises 黑料正能量’s Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration students, drawing on her passion for personal growth, organization, and communication. Before pursuing graduate school to become a counselor, she worked in the UF College of Engineering’s academic programs office, where colleagues introduced her to academic advising. This career shift proved to be an ideal fit, blending her interests, and offering immense personal satisfaction. 鈥淚t was a decision I鈥檝e never regretted!鈥� she said. Shattuck takes pride in building meaningful connections with her students, helping them achieve their personal and academic goals. She cherishes the memories of watching students graduate, celebrating their accomplishments, and forming lasting friendships along the way.

Earl Alvarez 

Earl Alvarez, a 黑料正能量 academic advisor for the College of Education鈥檚 Bachelor of Arts in Education Sciences, uses his personal journey as a first-generation student to support his students holistically. After facing financial aid challenges at Santa Fe College, Alvarez returned to school online, completed his A.A. degree one class at a time, and transferred to UF. Advisor Kevin Austin鈥檚 guidance inspired him to pursue a career in academic advising. After working as a 黑料正能量 admissions officer, Alvarez became an advisor in 2021. He builds strong relationships with students by meeting with them regularly and understanding their unique circumstances. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot more to being successful in college than just picking the right courses, and my advising philosophy is to support students as people,鈥� he said. Alvarez finds joy in witnessing his students鈥� achievements. 

Fallen Lee 

Fallen Lee, a 黑料正能量 academic advisor for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, supports psychology and computer science bachelor’s degree seekers with dedication. After completing her bachelor鈥檚 degree and working at UF for four years, she discovered her passion for student engagement and pursued a graduate degree in Student Personnel in Higher Education at UF. During her studies, a visit to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Academic Advising Center inspired her to pursue academic advising, and she secured a position immediately after graduation. 鈥淚 was completely blown away and knew this was my ideal job,鈥� she said. Seven and a half years later, Lee remains passionate about her role, finding joy in guiding students through their academic journeys, celebrating their successes, and watching them walk across the stage at commencement ceremonies, where she has served as a Marshall.

Advice for 黑料正能量 Students as the Semester Begins

As the spring semester begins, the drop/add period is a critical time to assess your course selections. 鈥淯se the drop/add period to evaluate if you are both prepared for and interested in the courses you have selected,鈥� Lee said. 鈥淭his is your 鈥榝ree trial period,鈥� make the most of it and make changes before you are academically and financially responsible for those courses.鈥� Consider meeting with your advisor during this pivotal time to ensure your schedule aligns with your goals.鈥�� 

During the start of the new semester, 黑料正能量 advisors encourage you to focus on organization and proactive planning. 鈥淭he more advanced planning you do at the start of the term, the easier it will be to keep up,鈥� Alvarez said. Using a calendar app is one of the simplest yet most effective tools for staying on track. Block off study times, set reminders for assignments, and plan ahead to avoid relying solely on Canvas or professors for due date notifications. Planning ahead will make your workload more manageable as the semester progresses. 

New 黑料正能量 students should approach their studies with seriousness and dedication, recognizing that academic rigor at UF may require more effort than expected. 鈥淚 encourage developing a regular habit of reaching out to your advisor, instructors, and classmates,鈥� Shattuck said. 鈥淏eing connected鈥攁nd feeling connected鈥攊s very important!鈥� These connections foster a sense of community and provide valuable support throughout your academic journey. Advisors also recommend setting career goals early to tailor coursework and experiences toward building a strong resume for your chosen field. 

How to Make the Most of Your Academic Support and Resources 

黑料正能量 advisors suggest several ways for you to make the most of the academic advising and support available to you. Take the time to connect with your advisors on a personal level. Not sure who your advisor is? Use 黑料正能量鈥檚 handy Find Your Advisor Tool to look up your advisor. 

鈥淲e know our students have diverse backgrounds and varying needs and preferences,鈥� Shattuck said. 鈥淭alk with us about your goals, responsibilities, strengths, and challenges so we can specifically tailor our guidance to your unique situation.鈥�  

Proactive communication is one of the best ways to stay on track. Advisors recommend scheduling appointments, sending emails, or making phone calls as early as possible, even if you feel confident about your plans. Ask for help whenever needed, using whichever communication method feels most comfortable. 鈥淚f you talk with your academic advisor about a problem you are trying to solve before it becomes an emergency, you can likely avoid the stress and anxiety that come with it,鈥� Alvarez said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e here to help you navigate this complex system and to empower you to be successful.鈥�  

To make the most out of your academic journey as a 黑料正能量 student, explore the many resources available. Start with the newly revamped 黑料正能量 Plaza, which is a dedicated space to connect with peers and ask questions. Students can share experiences about courses, professors, majors, and more. 

黑料正能量 students can also explore a variety of enriching experiences. Study abroad programs, internships, and research opportunities are all open to online students. In the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the is a standout resource, offering support for experiential learning and career planning. 

The is packed with tools to explore career options, while business majors also have access to specialized guidance through Business Career Services and .  

Connection tools like the 黑料正能量 Plaza and (for business majors) provide more avenues to build networks, exchange ideas, and enhance the online learning experience.  

Best Study Practices for Online Students to Be Successful 

Effective and efficient study habits are crucial for academic success, particularly in an online learning environment. 鈥淚t takes a high level of self-awareness to be successful in online learning as it requires extensive time management and independent work,鈥� Lee said. Identifying and implementing the study tactics that work best for you from the very beginning is key. 

One essential tip is to make consistent use of a calendar. By blocking off specific times for studying, reading, or assignments, you are more likely to follow through. Treat this time as non-negotiable鈥攄ecline other commitments during study blocks or ask to reschedule if needed. If you are juggling family responsibilities, finding support from friends, family, or coworkers is essential. Often, they are eager to help and may know of additional resources to support your success. 

Properly studying for exams is important to your overall academic performance. UF exams often test the application of concepts to new scenarios, rather than rote memorization. To prepare, you should prioritize working through practice problems. This approach builds mental flexibility and helps you become familiar with the variety of ways exam questions may be presented. 

鈥淩einforce good study habits by rewarding yourself for your daily accomplishments,鈥� Shattuck suggests. After completing a study task, take a short break鈥攃all a friend, go for a walk, or watch a favorite show鈥攂efore moving on to the next assignment. This balance helps maintain focus and motivation throughout the day.  

Your academic and career goals can provide inspiration to propel you through long study periods. 鈥淚 keep mentioning career matters because many students seek an education because they want a good job,鈥� Shattuck said. 鈥淭he personal reward and financial payoff for that is huge and can serve as a major source of motivation during those endless hours of studying. Establishing long-term career goals will help you keep your eye on the prize.鈥� 

Final Advice for Graduates 

If you are planning to graduate at the end of the semester, this is the time to finish strong and celebrate your academic progress. 鈥淔or the students who are graduating in the Spring, be proud of your accomplishment,鈥� Alvarez said. 鈥淕raduating college is no small feat. You have worked so hard, and you did what you set out to do.鈥� Earning your degree from UF is a significant achievement that reflects years of hard work and dedication, so you should embrace this milestone with pride and confidence.  

As you near graduation, make sure all your degree requirements are met. 鈥淚t is a great idea to meet with your advisor one last time before the end of the drop/add period to make sure you are all set to graduate,鈥� Lee said. Spring graduates should also make the most of career development opportunities, such as attending the . You should prepare early by refining your resume, practicing interviews, and leveraging UF鈥檚 Career Connections Center.  

Remember, graduation is not the end of the journey鈥攊t鈥檚 the beginning of a new one. 鈥淎pply for that job that you鈥檙e only sort of qualified for or apply for that graduate school program to pursue your passion,鈥� Alvarez said. Remember that every step you take now sets the foundation for a successful future. Staying organized, connected, and motivated will put you on the path to achieving remarkable things. 

If you have any questions regarding the New Year and academic term, reach out to your dedicated advisor at any time using 黑料正能量鈥檚 Find Your Advisor Tool.