Academic Probation or Dismissal

If you find yourself on academic probation or dismissal, we want to help you get back on track.

Schedule an appointment with your advisor to discuss your options and consider what issues may be harming your academic success. Are you homesick? Do you not have reliable internet connection and in several online courses? Do you work 40hrs a week and are taking 15 credit hours a semester? Be honest with your advisor so that they can help you reach your academic goals.

You and your advisor should develop a schedule for the next term with the specific goal of earning the highest grades possible to raise your GPA in mind. With this strategy in place, you can work together to get off probation.

Consider these suggestions

• Get help! USI has several free services to help students:

• Academic Skills (ED 1111) offers free subject -based tutoring, Success Series Workshops and a Writing Lab. They also offer a graded one-credit course, GENS105: College Study Strategies.

• Our Advising Centers meet with your advisor to talk about what happened the previous semester and develop a plan for success going forward.

• Disability Resources (SC 2206) coordinates services and academic accommodations for USI students with disabilities.
• Meet with your instructors/professors on a regular basis. They are a vital resource to help you understand course material and develop effective study habits. This could be a first step when you are having difficulty in a course.
• Attend classes regularly and be on time.
• Study! You are expected to study a minimum of 2 hours outside of class for each hour in class. 13 credits hours per week X 2 study hours per credit = 26 hours of studying outside of class.
  Monitor your work hours. Full-time non probation students should work no more than 20 hours a week, and our advisors recommend working no more than 10 to 15 hours per week, while on probation. Remember, being a full-time student should be considered a full-time job.
• Lower the number of credit hours you are taking; many probation students limit themselves to 12-13 credit hours for the semester.
• Repeat courses you either failed or made a "D" in to improve your GPA. This is the quickest way to raise your GPA.
• Take courses in which you know you can do well in; every student has areas of strength. A whiz at math? A polished writer? Learn your strengths and use them!
• Review your goals and ask yourself if the major you are pursuing is consistent with your skills and abilities. Terrified of blood? Then perhaps being a nurse isn't for you. Having problems understanding macro and micro economics but adore your psychology courses? Perhaps it's time for a change.