"Student on academic warning?"

Information, advice, and recommendations for help...

"My student's grades were not the best this semester. Actually, they were much lower than we expected. I think he's on academic warning. We want to help him do things differently next semester, but aren't sure where to start. Where do we go from here? Any ideas of where to begin so that he will be better prepared to start off on the right foot in January?"

If this sounds like you, you are not alone. The Parents' HelpLine receives many calls and emails just like this one every year from concerned parents eager to help their floundering student get off to a better start the next semester. If your student is on Academic Warning or simply didn't do as well as he/she would have liked, I hope the following information will assist you in helping your student achieve his/her academic goals.

• An unconditional expression of your love and support can go a long way right now. As we mentioned last semester, it is not likely that your student wants to disappoint you. Hearing that you are there to support him, no matter what, may ease his anxieties of performing better.
  
  
• Resist your instincts to try and fix the problem for your student. Let her do the homework. Navigating difficult situations are often the best teachable moments. Consider sharing some of the information below. Encourage your student to use campus resources for assistance and share the following success strategies with her. This way, you are fostering independence, while continuing to communicate your love and support.
  
  
• Make sure you and your student have the correct information. "Academic Warning" does not translate into "See you later alligator." Additionally, it's important to know that these policies exist to help students in an academic slump. For instance, the First-Year Course Repeat policy is a policy of forgiveness for new students and functions to allow them to retake up to two courses without penalty. Of course, there are deadlines and stipulations that apply. Therefore, it's important to have all the facts. The following policies may help answer questions you and your student may have.

  Continuation of Undergraduate Enrollment (Suspension Regulation)

  Course Repeat Regulation, including General Regulation and First Year Course Repeat
  - Students must turn in a completed First Year Course Repeat form to the Department of Registration & Records by March 12 if they are retaking a class this semester.
  
  Readmission of Former and Academically Suspended Undergraduate Degree Students
  

• The following are great resources for students in any situation.
  
  Academic Advisor - If your student is only visiting his advisor to get his Personal Identification Number (PIN) to register for classes, this is part of the problem. Encourage your student to be honest with his advisor about the situation. If your student is struggling with the material in his major or is considering changing majors, a visit to the academic advisor to discuss options and resources may be the first appropriate step.
  
  Professors - Students are often intimidated by the suggestion to develop relationships with their professors, particularly if they are the type of instructor who "wrote the book." However, developing a relationship with a professor is one of the most effective strategies for success in a class. In a situation of academic difficulty, it is important for students to be honest with the professor about their current situation and clearly express their need for assistance and advice. Letting professors know about the difficulties the student has experienced in other classes will help them understand the student's needs more quickly. Besides, it's always good to consult with the one person who knows for sure how to get an "A" in the class.
  
  Resident Advisor - If your student lives on campus, her resident advisor is a tremendous resource. Each advisor is trained by University Housing staff to help students learn to manage time, maintain good study habits, and identify helpful resources.
  
  Counseling Center - Often poor academic performance is the result of other issues a student may be dealing with in his life. Students may also be struggling with a particular relationship, issues at home, or balancing work and school. The Counseling Center is a great resource to help students identify and deal with issues preventing them from performing their best. They also offer workshops on time management, test anxiety, stress reduction, body image, and depression.
  
  Advising Central - Students often have a lot of questions about what it means to be on academic warning, how to repeat a course, or how to get more support from their advisor and college. Advising Central can help take all the guess work out of policies and procedures and help identify the most knowledgeable resources on campus for help. All is takes is a simple click of the mouse.
  
  Workshops - Many offices offer workshops on study skills, time management, and stress reduction. Here are just a few offered this semester:
  
  Monday, January 28- Stressed? Laugh It Off
  Wednesday, January 20 - Goal Setting
  Tuesday, March 18 - Time Management & Life Planning
  
  More leadership development workshops may be found at the Center for Student Leadership, Ethics, & Public Service. Additionally, Health Promotion offers online resources that address insomnia, procrastination, study skills, and time management.
  
  Tutorial Services -The Undergraduate Tutorial Center offers free tutoring for 100 and 200-level courses. The Center offers walk-in assistance and individual tutoring by appointment.
  
  Student Handbook - The Student Handbook website features advice and information on basic strategies for student success.
  
  
• Fundamentals for Student Success - Encourage your student to develop new habits. The following are strategies I used in an academic enrichment program for students who were on Academic Warning. The students who used the strategies to the fullest saw dramatic results in their grades and their lives in general. My "big sell" was, "If you use these strategies, you will have time to master (not memorize) the material in class and have enough time left over for leisure." Plus, as a bonus, final exams end up being much less stressful!

There are 8 of them. Students are easily overwhelmed by a lot of advice all at once. So share them with your student in small doses.

Parents & Families Services