How to Improve Academically?

Receiving an academic warning is NOT the end of the world! Students should not panic or feel depressed when receiving an academic warning. Instead, should take charge of the situation. The university has many resources to utilize to ensure students’ academic success and eventual graduation. Students should not feel that the university is out to punish them, but instead see faculty and staff as partners for success. Many of these resources are free and available on campus for students throughout the academic year.
However, it must be strongly noted that students should NEVER resort to committing academic dishonesty in their effort to raise their CGPA to maintain good academic standing.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
The following presentation gives suggestions for what you should do to improve academically:

Schedule an advising session with University Academic Advisor

Immediately schedule an advising session with the academic advisor assigned to you by your academic department. The academic advisor will discuss action that can be taken to raise the next semester’s GPA and avoid losing good academic standing. Some possible actions include:

  • Reducing course load to 12-13 credit hours.
  • Selecting courses so that schedule is not full of very demanding classes.
  • Requiring enrollment in a study skills/college life management course for whole semester. 
  • Reviewing study plan to make up for repeated courses and ensure prerequisites for courses in future terms are met.
  • Scheduling classes to fit better with student’s needs (when possible). Examples would be spreading class schedule so that student has time to walk between all classes without being late to any or avoiding having too many classes scheduled in one day. 
  • Reviewing choice of major and recommend alternate majors based on earned course credits and graduation requirements for different programs.
Schedule a Meeting with the International Student Advisor
  • The student should meet with the international student advisor to understand the impact that losing good academic standing has on their immigration status. The student should bring any recommendations by the university academic advisor to the international student advisor to ensure that they will not risk the student’s immigration status (example: having a course load with only 11 credit hours instead of 12 minimum required by Immigration). 
  • For students who are having trouble adjusting to American culture, the advisor might recommend attending some American culture workshops/program offered by the International Student Office or the local community for a better understanding to help overcome the situation. 
  • Students should not hesitate to report incidents of racial or religious harassment to the International Student Office, especially if they cause disruption of studies and feelings of fear. This matter is of high importance.  It must be discussed with the University’s Advisor and the student’s Academic Advisor at the Cultural Division as soon as possible. 
Make use of Free Academic Resources on Campus

The campus is full with free or reduced-priced resources available exclusively to students.  Students should make full use of them to help succeed. Examples of such resources:

The Library: Many campuses have more than one library offering more than just books and other research materials. Many libraries offer:

  • Quiet study areas, complete with wireless internet connection.
  • 24-hour access to libraries with the student identification card.
  • Group study rooms that students can reserve for studying with friends.
  • Library staff who are trained to assist students on conducting research using available books, media, and digital databases such as JStor and LexisNexis. They can also assist with learning proper ways to use resources while avoiding plagiarism.

Free Tutoring: Several departments such as the Math, English, and Statistics departments typically offer free tutoring services staffed by graduate and upper-class undergraduate students under the supervision of a faculty member. Names for such services may fall under titles like Writing Center, Writing Clinic, Math and Statistics Learning Center, and Math Learning Lab. Other departments may also offer open hours at a department study lounge where graduate Teaching Assistants are made available for walk-in homework help. 

Faculty Office Hours: Professors always publish their office hours on the syllabus handed out at the beginning of the semester. Students should take this opportunity to go in and visit faculty members to discuss problems with homework or review what was taught. It is also a great way to discuss strategies for doing well in class. Getting to know the professor better will also help reduce misunderstandings in class and develop a better working relationship between student and teacher.

Free Workshops: Universities usually hold workshops that teach students study skills and tips on how to cope and succeed on campus. These workshops are usually hosted by the university’s Student Life or Student Affairs department throughout the academic year and are open to enrolled students.

Free Teaching Assistants: Departments often have Graduate Teaching Assistants assigned to help Professors teach the class. If the professor is unavailable, the Teaching Assistant is a great resource for getting help on class materials and learning how to do better in class.

Schedule Counseling for Personal Problems

Completing a degree is a stressful business but a rewarding one. The life-school-mind-body-soul balance may be tipped and in need of balance. Universities usually have free professional counseling services on campus for students to use. The services include private counseling sessions and group therapy. All matters are held confidential, so students should not shy away from seeking a counselor to talk about problems with.

Contact the Cultural Division Advisor

The Cultural Division Advisor is also there to help. Students should update their Advisor with the latest transcript and share any academic matter or advice given by their university academic advisor. The Cultural Division is responsible for managing and administering students’ scholarship and tracking academic performance. The student must work closely and provide information to their assigned Academic Advisor at the Cultural Division so matters can be addressed in a timely manner.

Exercise

Studying is stressful—spend time to burn some of that stress away at the campus free fitness center, where there are facilities such as pools, saunas, fitness equipment, and sports facilities. Fitness classes are also held there for students to participate. Academic success is about balancing life, school, mind, and body, so having a good stress release outlet is vital.