Advisors and Advising - Graduate Writing Center

Nested Applications
Advisors and Advising workbook

Building the Student–Advisor Relationship


Students: wondering what to expect from your thesis advisor?
Faculty: want to improve your working relationship with your advisees?
​​​​​​​The GWC offers resources and materials to help strengthen the student–advisor relationship and improve communication, including tips and tools to support asking for and providing feedback on a thesis.


The Student–Advisor Workbook: Questions to Optimize Thesis Advising

This workbook is a flexible tool for students and advisors to fill in together early in the advising process to set expectations and establish procedures. The questions cover a range of topics: strengths and challenges, personal factors, communication, collaboration, and feedback.

The PDF includes fillable fields and checkboxes for print or electronic use:

Portions of the workbook can be downloaded by theme. Within each theme, questions are targeted at students, advisors, or both:

To view all the questions on one page, see Questions at a Glance.

Advisors and Advising students

Students: Working with Advisors

Thesis writers often have questions about how to find advisors and second readers and how to work effectively with their advising team. The following resources outline important best practices:

Help your advisors help you! Being strategic, considerate, and constructive in requesting the feedback you need can make the process more efficient and effective for both of you.