Humanizing Academic Advising: The Ted Lasso Effect
In today's increasingly complex and competitive higher education landscape, academic advising is more important than ever. Students must navigate winding academic pathways, rising financial pressures, and careers that are evolving faster than their TikTok feeds. Ideally, advising should be their anchor—a source of guidance, mentorship, and support that helps them make informed decisions about their education and future.
But let’s be honest: academic advising can sometimes feel more like a rushed transaction than a meaningful conversation. Advisors are juggling impossibly high student-to-advisor ratios, training is all over the place, and too often, compliance takes precedence over actual student development. What should be a formative and inspiring experience for students sometimes ends up as nothing more than a logistical checkpoint.
Yet, at its best, academic advising has the power to do something incredible: to foster a sense of belonging, help students believe in their own potential, and guide them toward meaningful, fulfilling lives. In other words, advising should feel less like a bureaucratic task and more like… coaching a Premier League team.
"Believe." It’s more than just a motivational slogan plastered across a locker room—it’s the core philosophy of Ted Lasso. While he may be coaching soccer instead of advising students, his approach to mentorship, leadership, and personal connection mirrors everything that academic advising could be. And if higher ed took a few pages out of Ted’s playbook, we might just see academic advising transform from an obligatory meeting into one of the most valuable parts of a student’s college experience.
Advising is Not Just Course Selection, It's Life Design (Ted Lasso's "Believe" Philosophy)
"Taking on a challenge is a lot like riding a horse, isn't it? If you're comfortable while you're doing it, you're probably doing it wrong." —Ted Lasso
Academic advising is often seen as a logistical service—helping students pick courses, check degree boxes, and stay on track for graduation. But great advising is so much more than that. It’s about helping students envision their future, challenge their own assumptions, and build a life—not just a transcript.
Ted Lasso doesn’t just focus on soccer drills; he cares about the whole player. He knows that a player’s performance is tied to their mental and emotional well-being. Advisors should have that same perspective. Students are more than a collection of courses—they have passions, challenges, and aspirations that don’t always fit neatly into a degree audit.
Good advising pushes students to explore new possibilities and step outside their comfort zones. That means:
Helping them make meaningful connections between their coursework and career goals.
Encouraging them to explore extracurriculars, internships, and projects that stretch their skills.
Challenging them to design a future that excites them—not just one that checks off requirements.
To do this well, advisors need to know more than just academic policies. They should be aware of industry trends, in-demand skills, and career pathways—yes, even for the oft-dismissed humanities majors (spoiler: English majors do get jobs, and they tend to be quite good at them).
A great advisor doesn’t just help students meet graduation requirements. They help them believe—in their abilities, their potential, and their future.
Advisors Are Navigators, Not Just Rule Enforcers (Ted’s "Be Curious, Not Judgmental" Mindset)
Academic advising can sometimes feel like a list of policies and deadlines. And sure, that’s part of the job. But great advisors aren’t just gatekeepers of bureaucracy—they’re guides who help students navigate an often confusing system.
Ted Lasso walks into the Premier League with zero soccer experience. But instead of pretending to be an expert, he gets curious. He asks questions, learns the nuances of the game, and builds relationships that make his team stronger. Advisors should take the same approach.
Instead of just enforcing policies, great advisors help students find their way.
A traditional, rule-focused advisor might say: "You need to declare a major by the end of your sophomore year. Here’s a list. Pick one."
A Ted Lasso-style advisor might ask: "What excites you? What kind of work doesn’t feel like work? Let’s explore your interests and see how they align with different majors and career paths."
Advising should be about discovery, not just declaration. Advisors who are curious—about their students’ passions, struggles, and aspirations—are the ones who make the biggest impact.
The best advisors understand that students aren’t just looking for answers. They’re looking for a guide who helps them ask the right questions.
The Student-Advisor Relationship is a Partnership, Not a Service (Ted’s Collaborative Coaching Style)
"I think that if you care about someone, and you got a little love in your heart, there ain't nothing you can't get through together." —Ted Lasso
Some students see their advisor as a gatekeeper—someone who simply tells them what classes to take. But the best academic advisor relationships don’t feel transactional; they feel like a partnership.
Ted Lasso doesn’t dictate every move his players make. He listens, empowers, and coaches them toward growth. That’s exactly what advisors should do.
A transactional advising experience: “You need 12 more credits next semester. Here’s a list. You’re good to go.”
A collaborative advising experience: “You love writing and business? Let’s see if we can fit in a marketing minor or an internship that blends both. Have you considered student media or entrepreneurship courses?”
Students should feel like their advisors are working with them, not just for them. A great advisor:
Helps students integrate their passions into their academic and career plans.
Encourages exploration and creative problem-solving.
Creates an environment where students feel heard and understood.
Academic advising should feel less like checking a box and more like designing a future—together.
Academic Advising Impacts More Than Grades—It Shapes Identity and Belonging (Ted’s Focus on Team Culture)
"I think y'all are gonna see that believing in yourself, that's got a lot to do with believing in your teammates." —Ted Lasso
One of the biggest things Ted Lasso brings to AFC Richmond isn’t just strategy—it’s culture. His team isn’t just a group of athletes; they’re a family. He fosters an environment where players feel valued and supported. Academic advising should do the same.
For many students—especially first-generation students, transfers, or those struggling academically—their advisor might be one of the few people on campus who makes them feel like they belong.
A great advisor:
Connects students to faculty, clubs, and internships that fit their interests.
Helps them navigate academic and personal challenges.
Fosters a sense of community and confidence.
The difference between a student thriving and a student dropping out isn’t always academic ability. Sometimes, it’s just having one person who believes in them.
Proactive Advising > Reactive Advising (Ted’s "Early Intervention" Approach)
"There’s two buttons I never like to hit, all right? And that’s panic and snooze." —Ted Lasso
Ted doesn’t wait until his players are in full crisis mode before stepping in. He watches for early signs—Jamie’s ego, Roy’s frustration, Nate’s insecurities—and intervenes before things spiral. Advisors should do the same.
Too often, academic advising is reactive—students only show up when they’re already struggling. But proactive advising means:
Checking in regularly, not just during required meetings.
Tracking early warning signs—missed classes, low grades, disengagement—and reaching out.
Creating a culture where students feel comfortable seeking help before they’re in trouble.
A simple, “Hey, I noticed you haven’t been to class much. Everything okay?” can make all the difference.
The best academic advising happens before a student is at risk—not after.
The Bottom Line: Believe in Students Like Ted Lasso Believes in His Team
Ted Lasso took a struggling soccer team and turned it into something special—not by being the best strategist, but by being the best mentor. Academic advising has the same potential.
Higher ed doesn’t need more robotic, transactional advising sessions. It needs advisors who:
Are curious, not just judgmental.
See students as whole people, not just academic records.
Help students design a future, not just check off requirements.
Because at the end of the day, the best academic advising isn’t just about course registration. It’s about belief—helping students see what’s possible, even when they don’t see it themselves.
And if Ted Lasso has taught us anything, it’s that a little belief goes a long way.