Last month we discussed that students’ stress levels rise as the semester midterms arrive and shared insights for helping your student prepare for midterms. Since our last newsletter, students may have received academic warnings and mid-term grades from professors and you should be aware that parents will not receive copies of these warnings (see more information below). As mentioned last month, now is a good time talk to your student about their academic progress, and when doing so, some of these factors may be helpful to keep in mind.

From High School to College

The most basic thing to remember is that the workload and expectations of college are different from high school, and the grades are different too. Students may find they need to work much harder and prepare for papers and tests further in advance than they have previously. Keeping up with studies can feel overwhelming at times. Of all the adjustments students undergo during the first semester of college, becoming accustomed to new academic standards is surely one of the most difficult, especially when GPA’s often decline. A national study of individual student’s grades found that almost half of students earned lower grades in college than in high school, one in three earned the same grades, and only one in five students earned higher grades. Students who may have been used to being at the top of their classes now find themselves in a group of equally capable, hard-working, and serious peers. The very qualities that may have made a student a standout in high school are now considered “average.”

The one caution we give you is to remind your student they will be graded on mastery of material, not how hard they work, as might have been the case in high school. If they are having problems mastering the material, they should immediately make an appointment to discuss the material with their professor and visit them during their virtual “office hours.” Also, remind them that unlike high school teachers, professors will rarely give out extra credit projects to raise grades.

Students should pace themselves throughout the semester, seek help as the need arises, and remember that each class will have a unique and individual experience, especially with everything being remote right now. Regardless of their experience, if your student is having academic struggles of any kind, please encourage them to contact the Shepard Academic Resource Center (SARC). The SARC team wants to meet with them to help answer questions or point them to the right resources to find answers. You can help reinforce with students that UP is filled with people interested in helping. Whether it’s talking to friends, professors, advisors, Workshop Leaders, Health Center counselors, or Campus Ministry staff, encourage them to seek guidance and support.

Academic Warnings and Midterm Grades

Academic warnings are reports that come from professors who think students are in danger of failing if they continue in the same academic pattern. While these warnings are not noted on students’ transcripts, a copy is placed in their permanent record.

Professors give academic warnings for any number of reasons. There are seven categories for the warnings, and a professor may be concerned in one or more areas:

• Excessive absences
• Poor test or quiz performance
• Inadequate preparation/study habits
• Poor class participation
• Incomplete or late assignments
• Course comprehension
• Any other reason the professor feels is vital to success that is not being met

These warnings do not necessarily mean the students are going to fail the class. The instructor simply thinks they may fail if they do not improve in an aspect of their studies. While reversible, these warnings should not be ignored, and a student should pay attention to what behaviors need to change in order to pass the class.

As a reminder, professors teaching 100-level or 200-level classes will post midterm grades. Given that first year students are placed almost exclusively in 100 and 200-level classes, your student should receive feedback in nearly all their classes by mid-to-late October. Midterm grades are progress reports and are not a part of the permanent record, but you should encourage your student to keep track of their grades throughout the semester using the guidelines in their syllabus. Regular check-ins will help avoid surprises down the road.

Checking Grades through Proxy

If your student has added you as a Proxy through Self-Serve for the student information view, you have permission to know their midterm grades and/or if they have received an academic warning. However, it’s important to always have a conversation with your student first and ask them directly about their academic progress.