An academic advisor is a resource person whose job is to help you understand your requirements. Whether you will see an advisor for early advisement or open registration, or you will self advise, you need to read, study, understand, and follow your requirements.
The Undergraduate Catalog (PDF) is your guide to university policy and graduation requirements. As a new student to the university, you should request a catalog from the New Student Admissions Office. If you are a continuing student and need a copy, one may be purchased at the Student Center Bookstore. It is not necessary to have a new catalog each year. You have seven (7) years to complete the requirements as outlined in the catalog published for the year you began college, whether that was at SIUC or some other college or university.
The Undergraduate Catalog contains a suggested curricular guide for most major. They show one way courses may be organized in order to complete all requirements in four years. This is not necessarily the best plan for you. Your individual background preparation and abilities, as well as the other commitments in your life, must be considered when planning your schedule.
The College of Science Advisement Office has available requirement guides for all the majors offered in the college. They are designed to help you understand the order in which courses should be taken due to prerequisites. Also available are requirement guides for all the pre-health professions. It is very important to plan schedules with prerequisites in mind. Taking a class before you are ready may very well result in struggle and failure. Plan for success each semester and do not be in a rush to take classes before you are ready.