Academic Safety Net

An online workshop facilitated by the Academic Success Center ~ UL Lafayette

Junior Division

Why are interim grades important?

• Interim grades are an early sign of academic difficulty

• 1 in 5 students with D’s, F’s or W’s at interim grades went on academic probation in Fall ’08

What steps should I take to get back on track?

• Explore contributing factors to academic difficulty

• Educate yourself

• Get to know your advisor

• Seek out campus resources

Causes of Academic Difficulty

Generally, there are 5 main causes of academic difficulty: Motivational difficulties Adjustment to college life Study Skills Directions/Goals Personal Issues (including finances)

Motivational Issues

Motivational difficulties can include difficulty adapting to and feeling a sense of belonging in a competitive academic environment.

How would you describe your motivation level this semester?

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Adjustment to College Life

• Balancing study with the new freedoms and responsibilities of adult living can be a difficult challenge.

• What has the adjustment process been like for you?

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Study Skills

• Studying is essential to academic success. • What is your current study method and what

are your plans for improvement? Student Success Workshop

• ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Lack of Direction

• Often times students are unaware of the various options they have when choosing a major.

• What is your major & why did you choose it?________________________________

• How well is this major suited to your interests and abilities?________________________________

http://studentsuccess.louisiana.edu/career

Personal Issues

• Personal issues can affect academic performance. Ex: health, relationships, finances, family responsibilities, etc.

• What if any personal issues have affected you this semester?

• ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

• http://www.louisiana.edu/Student/Counseling

Need to know information

• Academic probation and suspension

• Financial aid probation and suspension

Facts about Academic Probation

• Approximately 1/3 of First Time Freshmen (FTF) who go on Academic Probation after their first semester do not return for the following semester.

What is Academic Probation?

• A first semester freshmen with a 1.33 GPA or below will be placed on academic probation for the following semester.

How can I figure out my GPA?

• Using the GPA estimator on ULink, what is your current average this semester based on interim grades? _________

• If the semester ended today, would you be placed on academic probation?

What do I do if get on Academic Probation?

While on academic probation, students must make a semester GPA of 2.0 or higher.

If a student does not meet this semester GPA requirement, the student will be suspended from the university.

How to I get off of academic probation?

• A student must raise their cumulative GPA to a 2.0 or higher to get back to academic good standing.

What if I get suspended?

• If suspended a student can submit an appeal with their academic dean’s office.

• Visit the following link for more details:

http://studentsuccess.louisiana.edu/appeals/index.shtml • Action Plan: What steps can I take to avoid

probation this semester?________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

Does academic standing affect financial aid status?

• Students on academic probation may also be placed on financial aid probation.

• Visit the following website for financial aid guidelines:

http://admissions.louisiana.edu/financial-aid/standards.shtml

What if I am placed on financial aid suspension?

• Students can earn back FA by:– paying for classes and earning at least a

2.0 GPA

– submitting a financial aid appeal

• Visit the following link for more information:http://studentsuccess.louisiana.edu/appeals/index.shtml

Tips to stay on track…

• Get to know your your Academic Counselors

http://studentsuccess.louisiana.edu/

• Be an active listener

• Attend Class

• Ask questions in class

• Take notes

• Recopy notes the same day

• Find a study place (library, coffee shop, etc.)

• Use instructors’ office hours

Tips to stay on track…

• Avoid the “drop mentality”– registering for one more class than you

plan to finish, to allow for dropping• Eat healthy• Get a good night’s rest• Go to tutoring in Lee Hall• Use the Writing Center in Griffin Hall• Avoid working too much

Credit Hours Study Hours Per Week

Work Hours Per Week

(no more than)

15 30 15-18

12 24 24

9 18 30

Recommended Study/Work Hours

Advisors are a valuable resource

Why should you get to know your advisor? Knowledgeable about academic requirements

Advising occurs in March for the fall semester and October for the spring semester.

Willing to work with you in achieving your academic goals Ex: graduate schools, internships, career opportunities,

and job availability Who is your advisor? Where is he or she located? How often

do you correspond with him/her?

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Campus Resources

• The Resource and Referral Guide for Advisors and Students (PDF) &

• Student Guide to Academic Procedures and Resources (PDF)

 • Admissions – 336 Martin Hall, 482-6473

http://admissions.louisiana.edu/basics/

• Academic Success Center – 115 Lee Hall, 482-6818 http://studentsuccess.louisiana.edu/

• Campus Organizations http://www.louisiana.edu/Student/Organizations

Campus Resources• Career Counseling - 110 Lee Hall, 482-5431

http://studentsuccess.louisiana.edu/career• Counseling & Testing - 2nd floor Olivier Hall, • 482-6480

http://www.louisiana.edu/Student/Counseling• Financial Aid – 106 Foster Hall, 482-5252

http://admissions.louisiana.edu/financial-aid/• Learning Center – 2nd floor, Lee Hall

http://studentsuccess.louisiana.edu/learning• Office of Disability Services – 126 Conference

Center, 482-2742

http://disability.louisiana.edu/

Congratulations

• You have completed the Academic Safety Net Workshop.

• You are now required to meet with an academic counselor in 115 Lee Hall to review and discuss your steps to a successful semester.