Advising Resources Hub

Students can request for TAA at SIS. After they make the request, TAA will receive an email from the enquiring student with a proposed meeting time and questions. Meetings can be arranged based on mutual availability. To verify, TAA can access a list of her/his temporary student advisees under “View UG advisees” in SIS. This advising relationship will expire in 90 days and the student’s name will be removed from the UG advisee list.

• What will you do differently next semester?
• Why do you think this happened?
• What do you think is going on in that particular course?
• What do you think would happen if you did that?
• How do you think this would impact your academic goals?
• How do you think you should respond?
• What do you think will happen next?
• What does that mean to you?
• Why do you feel that way?
• What do you enjoy most/least about being a student at HKU?
• How did you decide to enroll in these courses?
• How do you usually decide things when you receive differing opinions?
• What do you think you need to do to improve?
• How do you balance your studies and extra-curricular activities?
• What have you considered the most difficult adjustment coming to HKU?
• How strong is your academic background in that subject?
• Which types of assignments do you think best fit you as a student?
• If you were a professor, what types of students would you like to teach?
• What are your strengths/weaknesses as a student?
• What do you feel contributed to your success last semester?
• What study methods do you think contributed to your academic success?
• Tell me about a situation in which you were academically successful.
• Tell me about a time in which you experienced this before and how you handled it.
• Tell me more about how you selected that Major.
• Explain to me more about how you prefer to study.
• Describe to me how you like to spend your time on campus.
• Help me understand where you want to be in five years and how you plan on getting here.

https://aas.hku.hk/wp-content/resources/pdf/my_academic_plan_aas_ug.pdf

http://intraweb.hku.hk/reserved_1/sis_student/sis/reference-materials/Student’s_Guide_on_Major_Minor_Declaration.pdf (HKU portal login required)

List of Major by Faculties/Subjects
List of Minor by Faculties/Subjects

Roles of Temporary Academic Adviser (TAA)

• TAAs are teachers who can answer your questions about a particular subject in your major/minor exploration.
• Currently there are about 100 TAAs from programmes that offer major/minor options.
• Whether you are a home or non-home student of that Faculty, you can request to meet with a TAA for each subject any time on SIS under “Self-service”. Click for more information.

https://aas.hku.hk/videos/

How to select my Major and Minor

There might be many reasons why students failed to cope with their study and you may find them in different mental states. Some may be confused, lost, worried, stressed, while some may be defensive or avoid the reality by taking the “escapism” approach.

This 4-step advising method will help you stay organized and cover all necessary issues for making an initial assessment and action plan.

Subjective: Listen to student’s story

• Create a friendly and positive atmosphere
• Invite student to talk while you listen

Objective: Note the incidents and the facts

• Take note of student’s academic background and records in SIS and gather facts

Assess: Diagnose causes

• Lack of academic skills, e.g. math, language, computing, etc.
• Lack of interest / motivation, (e.g. student does not put in effort, loss in educational / career direction)
• Lack of effective learning strategies, (e.g. time management, prioritizing, revision skills)
• Other conditions that interfered with study (e.g. emotional issues, family pressure, social relationships, work, financial difficulties, health and behaviour problems)

Plan: Plan actions / referrals

• Assist students to plan remedial actions for study / revise study plan/ study habits
• Improve academic skills (tutoring, study group)
• Refer to AASO / Faculty Office for University Regulations / curriculum requirements / programme transfer option
• Refer to CEDARS for other personal and non-academic issues:
  • CoPE – psychological counselling and study skills workshops
  • Careers & Placement – career counselling and employment
  • Campus Life – financial assistance
• Refer to University Health Service for health concerns
• Track progress

Click here for more details

https://aas.hku.hk/wp-content/resources/pdf/onlinekit/item_14_file%20a_back_on_track.pdf

There is no official application form to fill in but please include the following information in the application:

• Your full name in English
• University number
• Correspondence address
• Contact phone number
• Current curriculum and year of studies
• Desired curriculum and year of studies

In e-mail attachment(s) (in Word or pdf format):

1. Reasons for transfer of studies with your signature (There is no word limit but it is usually within three A4 pages in length)
2. Supporting documents (e.g. transcripts, public examination results), if any

Please double check to ensure information in the application is correct.

Application for internal transfer of studies should be made using students’ “@connect.hku.hk” e-mail account. He/she needs to indicate in the e-mail subject that is an internal transfer application, his/her name and university number (e.g. Internal transfer application_CHAN Tai Man_3035012345)

The internal transfer application, together with attachment(s) in Word or pdf format, should be sent to the Academic Services Office by e-mail to transfer@hku.hk on or before the stipulated deadline.

https://aas.hku.hk/pgstudies_roadmap/

https://aas.hku.hk/3minscholarships/

http://www.rss.hku.hk/integrity/rcr/policy#Research%20Misconduct

https://tl.hku.hk/plagiarism

https://lib.hku.hk/general/instruction/index.html

https://tl.hku.hk/horizons/overview/

https://aas.hku.hk/3minexchange/

Students can reap the maximum reward if they consciously seek out opportunities to participate whereby they learn skills and gather accomplishments in different aspects for their future academic and career pursuits.

• Subject knowledge
• General knowledge outside study discipline
• Generic skills
• Credentials for postgraduate study
• Career and workplace skills
• Value and attitude

For tips on preparation and reflection, students can contact Academic Advising and Scholarships Office, IAO and CEDARS.

http://intraweb.hku.hk/reserved_2/aaoffice/onlinekit/item_23_file_b_managing_suicidal_risks_and_making_referrals_2017.pdf (HKU portal login required)

Before Referral

• Listen closely to the student’s problem before making the referral
• Assure student of confidentiality
• Explain why you are referring the student rather than trying to help the student yourself
• Provide a description of the resource and its purpose

When Making the Referral

• Refer student to a person of a particular office if possible
• Deal with student’s worries about the referral
• If needed, help student make an appointment and walk them to the referred person’s office
• Compliment student for making the effort to seek support and striving for self-improvement

After the Referral

• Follow up with the referred student
• If a non-confidential matter, make note in SIS.
• During the next advising meeting with the student, discuss how the referral was completed and if the issue had been resolved.

https://aas.hku.hk/wp-content/resources/pdf/simple_guide_zoom_and_teams.pdf