Academic Probation or Suspension

In order to remain enrolled in college most students will need to earn a minimum of a 2.0 GPA, or a “C” average. If your child’s GPA falls below this level at the end of any semester he may be placed on academic probation, which is only one more low semester GPA away from suspension. So, it’s essential for a student who is on academic probation to meet with a counselor or advisor for an honest and lengthy discussion about the following issues: 

1. What caused the student’s grades to fall below the minimum academic standards? Did the student perform poorly in all classes or just in some? Is the student academically under-prepared for the classes in which he is enrolled? Was there a personal crisis that has now ended or is it ongoing? Did the student’s work or social schedule prevent him from attending class or completing the required homework? Is the student in the wrong major?

2. What can be done that this point to rectify the problem and raise the student’s GPA above probation? Should the student reduce the number of credit hours in which he is enrolled? Does the student need help managing time or priorities? Will repeating the classes raise the GPA faster? (This is sometimes the case if the college has an academic forgiveness policy)