A common misconception students have after arriving at college is that they should rely solely on their academic advisors to lay out their curriculum and class schedules for them. While this may be the case for some students, it is not the case for the majority. It certainly did not happen that way for me. 
Students enter their first year of college often unsure of what they want to do. They are initially placed with a general advisor, who they will typically leave for a different advisor before ever learning their name.
Once students decide their major and the educational path they are taking, they are handed off to another advisor once again. This advisor is typically someone who knows the major’s curriculum well and is able to advise students on how to get everything done in their short time here.
Spoiler — many of these advisors have no idea how to really help because they already have too much on their plates. This is of no fault to them. They are not superheroes.
Some students develop a relationship with their advisor and consider them an amazing tool for more than just help with classes. Others feel that their advisor is simply there to release them to register for classes.
Students should not rely completely on their advisors because more than likely, they will have multiple different advisors throughout their time in college. I cannot even count what number advisor I am on at this point in my schooling, as I have been switched so many times. For me, some have been superb, and others have been completely useless.
Another important reason to be self-reliant is that these advisors can easily and accidentally throw off students’ graduation timeline by forgetting to mention a certain class is only offered during a certain term. Thus emerges a conundrum seen often, a senior realizing they will be spending an extra year at college because their advisor “forgot” to tell them about classes that are necessary to graduate on time. 
I personally discovered a class was cut out of my curriculum completely through my own research of what I had left to take. I am still not sure if that was ever going to be shared with me.
According to a 2023 Student Voice survey completed by Inside Higher Ed, “three in 10 students say a course required for graduation wasn’t offered the term they wanted to take it.” According to that same survey, “only 55 percent of students say they’ve received guidance on required courses and course sequences needed for graduation.”
These statistics prove that students need to depend on themselves a little more when it comes to figuring out their classes. It is important to remember that advisors are doing their best, but they do have countless students to help.
It is just as much the student’s responsibility to figure things out, and most of the resources that advisors use to help students can easily and quickly be found online.
Students can go to Mississippi State University’s home ​​page and search the department they are looking for. They can click on that department’s website, and there will be an option on the top to see the curriculum for the majors and minors that fall under that department. 
Students can also look at both their CAAP Compliance or Degree Works found under Banner on their​​ myState account. These give students the ability to see all the courses they have completed and still need to complete for graduation.
These are a few tools that I personally have utilized throughout my time here at MSU. If you are really feeling inspired by all of this, you can even make a spreadsheet or two laying everything out. I do not suggest having a thousand pieces of paper or spreadsheets to lay out your four years, but if that is what keeps you aware and on top of your curriculum, then go right ahead. 
The important thing to remember is that at the end of the day — it is about you. Your advisor is there just to help advise, not be in complete control. Take control of your future by being proactive and discovering for yourself all the classes you need to take, what prerequisites are required and what term they are offered.