Help for Students in Academic Difficulty

1.  Attend class(es).  Skipping classes that are difficult only compounds the problem.

2.  Meet with your INSTRUCTORS regularly to:

• Discuss ways to improve your grades in their classes
• Review your note-taking
• Review exams
• Set up study groups
• Obtain additional problems, exercises, bonus points, etc.

3.  Meet with your FACULTY ADVISOR regularly to discuss progress.

4.  Attend appropriate workshops offered throughout the semester by Academic & Career Planning on major exploration, study skills, and other academic concerns. The complete calendar of events and at-a-glance list of ACP events are found right here on our site.

5.  Use campus resources to take care of yourself:

• Academic and Career Planning, 2^nd floor Cate/Park,
  760-8341 (study skills, time management, academic coaching,  major/career exploration, campus work)
• Learning Center, 1^st floor Jones Hall,  760-2800  (individual peer tutoring)
• Counseling Center/Disability Services, 2^nd floor Carroll Hall,  760-8427  (workshops, counseling, accommodations for classes due to physical/learning/psychological disability)
• Health Services, 1^st floor Carroll Hall,  760-8535 (minor illnesses and emergencies)
• Financial Assistance, 3^rd floor Johnson Hall,  760-8565 (financial aid, scholarships)
• Dean of Students, 2^nd floor Cate/Park, 760-8521  (FYE freshman programs, housing, commuter life & diversity programs, honor council)

6.  Drop/Add the first week of classes through WebAdvisor. Dropped classes during this time will not be listed on the transcript.

 7.  Withdraw from a class.  This option is possible until mid-semester. See the academic calendar for last drop date each semester. Complete a drop/add form in the Office of the Registrar to withdraw from a class (requires faculty advisor signature).  When you withdraw from a class, it is listed on your transcript as a ‘W,” and will not affect your GPA.

8.  Consider requesting an Incomplete.  An Incomplete grade is normally given whenever a student and a professor agree that, for a good reason, the student cannot complete the course.  The professor sets forth the requirements for completing the course during the next semester and an incomplete grade form is submitted to the Registrar’s Office; requirements should be clearly understood by both professor and student. Keep in mind that requirements for the incomplete class usually would need to be completed alongside other classes the following semester, and if they are not met by the specified date—typically the final class of the following semester—the incomplete automatically becomes an “F”.

9.  Repeat “D” or “F” classes.  Consider repeating these classes to improve your GPA.  Upon completion the second time, your “D” or “F” will be replaced with your new grade.  Only the new grade is reflected in your GPA. Your transcript will still reflect the initial “D” or “F” but will show that you were more successful when you repeated the class.

10.  Leave of Absence. This option is available if you are in good standing socially (no honor council case), financially, and academically.  You may take a leave for up to one year and may return to Meredith without applying for readmission.  The result is a ‘W’ grade for all coursework taken during the semester when you leave campus and may be taken as late as the last day of classes.  Complete the Leave of Absence form and return to the Registrar’s Office.

11.  Withdraw from Meredith. This option is available if you are not in good standing socially, financially, and/or academically.  If you wish to return to Meredith you must apply for readmission.  The result is a W grade for all coursework taken during the semester when you withdraw from campus and may be taken as late as the last day of classes.  Complete the Withdrawal form in the Dean of Students Office.