A graduate student recommends meeting your advisor monthly during coursework, then twice or three times monthly once you start writing your dissertation. Regular check-ins demystify the research process and cut anxiety.
I don't think you have to wait until you get into an issue. I would still use him as part of the coursework journey. What I would say is, while you're in the coursework, you may need to meet with him once a month. When you start writing that dissertation, at least twice a month, if not more. You may have to get an extra time in during that month to make it 3 times. That's what I would say. So I think it's a matter of pacing. No, I wouldn't wait until you hit a stumbling block because, again, he's able to demystify the whole process. It just helps to reduce anxiety. Having him on board helps to reduce anxiety through the process.
