Advising
Students with Unsatisfactory Academic Performance
An unfortunate fact of academic life is that some students, for
various reasons, have poor academic performance. Academic advisors
often must advise students who are on warning, probation, or suspension.
In some instances, the circumstances leading to unsatisfactory performance
in a given semester are attributable to transitory, situational
problems that will not have an impact on subsequent performance.
For some students, unsatisfactory performance reflects certain types
of problems that are often long-standing and, if not given attention,
may persist and result in further academic difficulties. Reasons
for unsatisfactory performance include:
- poor study
habits;
- too many
hours of work and/or a work schedule that conflicts with the school
schedule;
- unrealistic
course choices in view of interests and abilities;
- lack of
direction;
- exam anxiety
and/or poor exam-taking techniques;
- personal
and/or family problems;
- lack of
preparation to perform college-level work (freshmen); and
- lack of
motivation.
Some suggestions
for working with students with unsatisfactory performance are as
follows:
- Review students'
previous records to determine if there is a long-standing history
of poor performance and if a significant number of unsatisfactory
credits have been accumulated.
- Discuss
candidly the ramifications of past or present unsatisfactory performance
and the possible outcome of continued unsatisfactory grades (See
University Catalog on Academic
Standing).
- Following
the semester in which students receive a warning, probation,
or suspension they may register for a maximum of 13 credits
when they are next eligible to enroll.
- Students
will be permanently dismissed from the university after receiving
a third suspension or when all the criteria listed in the
catalog are met. Following dismissal,
students are usually ineligible to re-enter.
- Refer students
to on-campus resources such as:
Counseling Center
University Career Services
Self-Development
Center
Academic Advising Center
Learning Services
Mathematics
Tutoring Center
Writing Center
Disability Resource Center (703-993-2474)
- Convey to
students your concern about their academic performance and encourage
them to meet with you on a regular basis.
- Assist students
in making appropriate course selections in view of their past
performance or suggest taking a reduced course load.
- Work with
students to determine the reasons for unsatisfactory grades and
help them to determine the types of changes that need to occur.
Very often,
concerned advisors can influence students' academic careers and
also may contribute to improved student retention. Students do not
always recognize the consequences of unsatisfactory performance,
and through early intervention, advisors may help students avert
continued academic difficulties.
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