A Syllabus for Success
Weekly Strategies for Students on Academic Probation
Week 1
- Keep in mind that you can drop and/or add courses this week without needing instructor or college permission. Check now on One Stop for upcoming deadlines to change your registration.
- Review syllabi and determine what will be expected of you in each of your courses throughout the term.
- Buy your books.
- If you are working, establish you work schedule and request that it stay regular throughout the semester. Talk with your employer early regarding schedule adjustments based on busy times in your semester.
- Use your Gopher Guide or planner to write down when each assignment is due throughout the semester.
Week 2
- Keep in mind that you can make certain changes to your registration THIS week, but next week deadlines will have passed. Check One Stop for details on dropping a course without instructor or college permission, and without receiving a "W" on your transcript.
- Check also about changing your grade base (A-F or S/N).
- You need instructor permission to add a class. Carefully consider the consequences of adding any courses at this point. It may be too late to make up the missing work. Ask yourself: Is the course you wish to add a better choice than the one you want to drop?
Week 3–5
- Stay on top of your assigned readings and assignments for class.
- Utilize any necessary resources, such as:
Center for Writing,
SMART Learning Commons,
University Counseling and Consulting Services (UCCS),
Student Academic Success Services (through UCCS).
- Speak with your academic advisor.
- Visit your instructor during office hours.
- Talk with your TA.
- Ask questions with peers in your classes.
Week 6–7
- Create a study schedule for your midterms.
- Phone the Psychological Sciences Student Community (612-626-7707) to schedule an appointment to meet with an adviser in the next couple of weeks. You must meet with an advisor to have your probation hold moved forward to register for the next term.
- Prepare for the appointment with your academic adviser. Things you may want to bring with you:
--Questions or concerns regarding your current registration.
--A general idea of how you are doing in each of your classes. It would be a good idea to check with each of your instructors about your grade thus far. Be accurate and realistic – is it time to consider withdrawing from a course?
--Ideas of courses to take next semester.
Week 8
- This is the last week to drop a semester-long class or classes without college permission. After the 8th week you will need to use your "One-Time-Only" withdrawal from one course OR petition due to verifiable, extenuating circumstances.
- Check One Stop now for the to last DAY to drop without permission this term.
Week 9–10
- Stay on top of your assigned readings and assignments for class.
- If you have not done well on papers or exams thus far, or if you wish to do better, discuss this with your instructor or TA. Find out if they can help you with suggestions regarding study practices that may be helpful.
- Go over assignments or exams with the instructor or TA.
- Utilize any necessary resources, such as:
Center for Writing,
SMART Learning Commons,
University Counseling and Consulting Services (UCCS),
Student Academic Success Services (through UCCS).
- Speak with your academic advisor.
- Visit your instructor during office hours.
- Talk with your TA.
- Ask questions with peers in your classes.
Week 11
- You should have met with your adviser by this time in the semester and your probation hold will be moved forward so that you are able to register for next term.
- Look at the class schedule, for next term, and think about ideas for registration.
- Check your account on-line to see if you have other holds that would prevent registration for next term and attend to getting those cleared.
- If you have not yet met with an adviser and can not get an appointment, you may consider attending a Probation Session to have your hold moved forward. Phone the Psychological Sciences Student Community for dates, times, and locations of the sessions (612-626-7707).
Week 12–13
- Registration begins about now. Check One Stop’s Quick Links for your assigned registration date/time.
- Register for classes, for next term, if you have not yet done so.
- Stay on top of your assigned readings and assignments for class.
- Look at final exam schedule.
- Adjust your work schedule if necessary to accommodate for your final exams.
- Utilize any necessary resources, such as:
Center for Writing,
SMART Learning Commons,
University Counseling and Consulting Services (UCCS),
Student Academic Success Services (through UCCS).
- Speak with your academic advisor.
- Visit your instructor during office hours.
- Talk with your TA.
- Ask questions with peers in your classes.
Week 14
- Create a study schedule and organize all of your materials for final exams.
- Begin review for final exams.
Week 15
- Drop classes using your "One-Time-Only" withdrawal or a complete exit, if necessary – you have until the last day of instruction to do this, but it must be completed before the end of the business day in room 30 Johnston Hall.
- Create a review schedule for final exams.
Finals Week
- Adhere to your study schedule.
- Integrate short (15 minute) breaks after every two-hour study block.
- Vary your study style. Re-read materials for an hour. Take notes or review flashcards for the next hour.
- Plan one or two study sessions with students in class.
- Outline topics in writing.
- Get enough rest.
- Eat proper meals.
- Get to your exam location 15 minutes early to settle in.
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