Are you not doing as well in a class as you had hoped? Looking for extra support to help you make the grade you want? Follow the steps below to help you understand where you stand in a class, what services may best support you, and set some goals to finish the semester with success!
Did you know that a “C” average (2.0) is the minimum requirement for students to be in good academic standing at WVU? And many majors require an even higher overall GPA. Learn more about Grades and GPA.
Here are some tips to help you stay on track:
1. Check your grades!
You can check your grades on ecampus using the gradebook feature, or if it is after midterm grades are posted, you can check your midterm grades on STAR. (To see when midterm grades are due, search for the WVU Academic Calendar.)
2. Talk and meet with your instructor.
Check the course syllabus to find out your instructor's preferred way to set up a meeting. Many offer office hours. This is a time for you to go to their office to ask questions. Or you can email them to set up a meeting or ask questions. Some questions you should consider asking: Are there enough points remaining in the class for you to pass with at least a C? Do they have any study tips for you to prepare for the exams? Can you review your previous exams or assignments with them (have an idea of what you want to review before asking this)? Are there additional resources to support your success in this class (tutoring, graduate assistants, study sessions, etc.)?
Remember to give instructors two business days to respond before emailing them a second time.
3. Get help!
WVU offers free tutoring for many courses. You can find the tutoring center that best fits your needs here: Find your tutor. Be sure you make an appointment or attend a drop-in appointment to get all your questions answered or review material before an exam.
4. Grow your academic skills.
There are lots of resources to help you further enhance your academic skills. Do you feel like you don't know how study or you run out of time to get work done? Working with a success coach can give you an opportunity to more deeply explore proven study strategies and discover which works best for you. Meeting with a success coach can help you to get organized and create a plan for success with realistic SMART goals and strategies.
You can schedule an appointment online or call us at 304-293-5804 to schedule.
5. Complete a StudentLingo workshop.
Each of the 50 workshops will focus on a different topic such as stress management, math anxiety, and learning strategies that can help launch you to success. At the end, make sure to download the action plan, which is designed to help you reflect on what you learned in the workshop and decide how to use the information to step up your academic game.
6. Chat with your academic adviser.
Advisers can do far more than help you pick out classes for the next semester. They’re knowledgeable about campus resources, different major options, and much more. Talking with your academic adviser can help you think about the big picture and which path is right for you. You can find your academic adviser at the top of your DegreeWorks.
7. Take a mid-semester course.
Did you know there are a few courses that start at the mid-semester point? These eight-week courses run from midterm to the end of the term and are a great option for students that may need to withdraw from another course, need to add a course for scholarship purposes, or for students who are doing well in their classes and would just like to get ahead. Always touch base with your adviser to find out if this is the right option for you. Do you need help searching for mid-semester courses? Review this video for a step-by-step guide to searching for classes in STAR.
8. Set some goals.
Use our sample goals to fill in the blanks.
My goal is to meet with a tutor ____ times a week for the remainder of the semester.
My goal is to go to bed at ___ p.m. and wake up at ___ a.m. Monday-Friday to allow me time to prepare for my course work and study.
My goal is to go to the WVU Library Downtown or Evansdale (Circle one) ____ hours a week to make sure I have a quiet place to focus.
9. Find your fit on campus.
Engaging in campus activities can be a way to help you find balance and make connections. Check out some of the great opportunities we have on campus to engage with peers and professionals.
10. Connect with mentorship programs.
Mentoring is a great way to have an individualized connection to campus. If joining a club isn’t your cup of tea, then try meeting with a mentor to talk about different opportunities and have a peer or faculty/staff member help you make the right connection for you to campus.
More Resources
Is out of the classroom impacting your academics? Check out some of these resources WVU offers to help support you:
- Resource Portal
- Mental health services at WVU: Carruth Center
- Academic, Housing, and Transportation Accommodations at the Office of Accessibility Services
- Get food accommodations to meet your dietary restrictions at Dining Services
- Healthy living information at WellWVU
- Exercise with Campus Recreation
- Books, study space, and equipment rentals at WVU Libraries
- Studying abroad: Education Abroad
- Undergraduate Research: Undergraduate Research
Still have more questions?
The Office of Student Success can connect you to the right resource at the right time. Want us to call you to help guide you in the right direction? Request a phone call.