Skip to main content

Difficulty with a Class and Academic Progress

If a course is not going as well as you had hoped, you have some options to consider.

Issues with a Specific Class or Classes

If a course is not going as well as you had hoped, you have some options. First and most important, honesty is the best policy in this situation. Answer the following questions.

  • Staying in Class - Does staying in the class make sense?
  • Create Success Plan - Is it realistic for you to develop a plan for success?
  • Improving Your Final Grade - Without changing anything, do you expect your final grade to improve?
  • Behavioral Changes - Are you motivated to make behavioral changes that can improve your performance in the course or subject area?
  • Difficult Class or Subject - Is this a class or subject that you have always struggled with in school?

Explore All Your Options

Meet with a counselor to explore all of your options, including the following:

  • Continue With the Class - Stay in your class.
  • Meet with Your Professor - Talk to your professor about your current grade, points remaining in class, extra credit and makeup work.
  • Tutoring and Resource Centers - Use our tutoring and resource centers on campus.
  • Access Services - If you have a documented disability, work with access services.
  • Pass/Fail Options - Change your grade to pass/fail.
  • Repeating a Course - Take the earned grade and repeat the course.
  • Incomplete Grade - Take an incomplete grade.
  • Dropping - Drop the class.

If you are receiving financial aid, be sure to indicate this with your counselor and discuss this with the financial aid office prior to making your decisions. Your choice could affect your aid for current and future semesters. 

Academic Progress

Probation 

If you are on probation, you are required to meet with a counselor to discuss:

  • Strategies to improve your GPA
  • Course retake options
  • Personal concerns affecting academic performance
  • Academic resources you might consider

Suspension

If you have been placed on suspension, you are not allowed to enroll until you have sat out the required number of semesters. You can meet with a counselor at any time during your suspension period. However you must meet with a counselor prior to enrolling upon your return from your suspended semester(s). Counselors will discuss:

  • How to improve your GPA
  • Course retake options
  • Personal concerns affecting academic performance
  • Academic resources you might consider

Appeals 

You may be eligible to use the appeal process to determine if your academic status may be changed. Refer to our Academic Progress Board Policy for more information.