About My Advisor… I Need Her

In high school,  I spent years getting to know my guidance counselors, and because of the time we spent together, we grew very close. I knew that I would have an advisor at UAlbany, but I wasn’t really sure of the role he or she was would play in my life. Entering college, I was under the impression that I was selecting my own classes and I had to register for them on my own, so why did I need an advisor? During my first semester at UAlbany, my advisor changed twice before I met Mayra Raxon. I never really went to see the  two advisors I had prior to her, because I did not feel like there was much to talk about. For the first semester, I was still feeling out college and that did not include going to see my advisor every week. Other students encouraged me to go see my advisor because  they thought it would be helpful for my academics, so eventually I went in. I remember, when I went in to get my AVN (Advisement Verification Number) and to talk about the classes that I had to take, my advisor and I just clicked. Mayra was so welcoming and instantly made me laugh. I never felt like she talked down to me. She always gives me respect and is always seeking my best interest at heart. I always like seeing her because there is never a dull moment when we meet.

Mayra opened me up to a lot of opportunities. She knew my interest in writing, mostly because my major is English, but also because she asked great questions and really talked with me. From there, I was introduced to Project MyStory, where I met Rachel Moody, who is also like my advisor because I get to work so closely with her. I got to meet and work with all these amazing writers and students like me who were transitioning from high school to college and were trying to find their spot. Some of them were already in college, so I got to work with students who have been here for a while so they could help me and the other students with our transition. These new friends of mine encourage me academically, and it was all because Mayra believed in me. She believed that I was a good writer before she had even read any of my works.

We have similar interests, so we connect really well. When I am struggling in a class or a specific topic, I feel relieved to talk to Mayra about it because she understands and has  been in my shoes. I decided to take six classes this semester and it is a little rough. I do not think I would survive if I did not have an amazing advisor helping me. I did not know what I was really getting into, but Mayra warned me, but she also told me that she knew I could do it.  I believed her, because I did not feel like it was just my advisor talking to me, it was my mentor who knows me, and not just my grades and classes.

Mayra cares, and I love that the most, because she always makes me feel like she wants to be my advisor rather than a name among the students she advises. Over the course of almost two semesters, I have become really comfortable with her and sometimes I forget that she is not just my advisor, so I have to make an appointment to see her. I could not have asked for a better person to help me on my journey as a college student because I cannot  imagine it without her.

Mayra –  I just want to thank you for helping me break out of the shell I was in, and for helping me with things that are not in your job description. You are stuck with me for life because I need you.

About the Author :

Karen H. 
Class of 2019 
Major: Intended - English
Minor: Spanish
Blog Theme: Because I Need You

Please Note: The views of our student bloggers do not necessarily reflect the views of the UAlbany Advisement Services Center. These are their stories and their voices.