From Lynne Waugh, Executive Director of University College Academic Advising, for the December 2021 Appalachian Connections newsletter for parents and families. To read past newsletter articles, please see our Parent Information page.
Academic Advising and Strategies for Students in Academic Difficulty
As 2021 concludes, we hope your student has had a very successful semester and will be placed on the Dean's List or Chancellor's List or will earn or maintain Good Academic Standing which requires at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA. However, if your student gets into academic difficulty and earns less than a 2.0 cumulative GPA, the following information should be helpful for them.
Academic Probation and Continued Probation
Students who earn less than a 2.0 cumulative GPA are placed on Academic Probation, the first semester of probation (*see IMPORTANT NOTE below). The second and final semester of probation is called Continued Probation. Students on academic or continued probation or who expect to be placed on probation should meet with their academic advisors as soon as possible to create an Action Plan for getting back into good academic standing. Working together, advisors can review possible options and help your student get back on track. Unfortunately, students who have used two semesters of academic probation will be placed on Academic Suspension (see Academic Suspension info below).
*IMPORTANT NOTE: Students who are at full-time status (enrolled in 12 or more hours) by the end of the drop/add period/5th day of class who earn a 0.0 GPA during their first semester at Appalachian will be placed on academic suspension and will not receive two semesters of academic probation.
Effective Strategies for Students on Academic or Continued Probation
- Reflect and Be Proactive. Examine factors that led to your academic situation and reflect on ways to improve academic performance (ex. Class attendance, ask questions, talk with your faculty, turn in all assignments on time, utilize campus resources).
- Meet with your academic advisor to create an Action Plan for academic improvement.
- Attend an Academic Success Workshop (ASW). Students on their first semester of academic probation are required to attend an ASW but students on continued probation should attend as well.
- Utilize campus resources: Student Learning Center (tutoring, learning labs, peer coaching, academic success courses), Writing Center, Counseling Center, Career Development Center and many more.
- Use the Grade Forgiveness Policy. Students can retake up to 4 different courses in which the new grade replaces the initial grade in the GPA. Classes taken INITIALLY during Spring 2020, Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 do not count as part of the 4 original grade forgiveness courses which can be very helpful when trying to get back into good academic standing.
- Attend Summer Session(s) at App State. Consult with your advisor about which courses to take or retake in summer school to improve your GPA. Remember: courses taken at another institution do not factor into your App State GPA.
- Know important dates and deadlines from the university's academic calendar (especially the last day of drop/add and the last day to drop a course or withdraw entirely) and your course syllabi (test dates, assignment due dates, etc).
- Believe in yourself and work hard to achieve your academic goals.
Academic Suspension
Students who are placed on academic suspension have either earned a 0.0 GPA during the first semester at App State or have already used 2 semesters of academic probation. Students who are placed on or are expecting to be placed on academic suspension should meet with their advisors immediately to discuss their options.
Best wishes to your students for a successful semester and to your family for a fun and safe holiday season.