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Advice for Students with Academic Problems Building the Advising Relationship
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Advising Students in Academic DifficultyStudents run into academic difficulty for many reasons. Sometimes they are unable to focus on schoolwork because of illness, serious interpersonal problems, a family crisis, or mental health problems. As well, the inability to successful manage their time frequently leads to poor performance. Many students find it difficult to balance their academic, extracurricular, and social lives. As the advisor, you need to understand from the student what the issues are. Most important, you need to find out if the student has a realistic plan for success. You want to make sure that the student is working on or addressing the issues that led to the academic problems and are connected with appropriate helping resources. Here are some areas to explore with the student. Advising Advice for Students with Academic ProblemsPlanning a balanced schedule: A student who has been placed on academic Warning by the Committee on Academic Performance is on a credit limit for the current term. It is critical for the student to ensure that s/he has a successful semester. The best advice for a student in this situation is to plan a conservative, balanced recovery term – no more than three technical subjects, balanced by an appropriate HASS subject. Lack of Understanding: What is the particular problem for the student in the class? Is it failure to comprehend the material, or not allowing sufficient time to really focus on the learning? Is the student actually attending lectures and recitations and handing in the homework? What steps is the student taking to improve his/her performance e.g., going to TA or office hours, budgeting additional time for studying, etc? You and the student will find excellent advice on improving study skills on the Learning Strategies website
Time Management and Study Strategies: If time management is an issue, what concrete plans does the student have for studying more effectively this term to ensure his/her success?
”I’m going to study harder” isn’t specific enough. The student needs to look at where s/he is actually studying and perhaps distance him/herself from distractions and interruptions like e-mail and cellphones. The Learning Strategies website has information on time management and improving study strategies.
Extracurriculars: What other activities besides classes is the student be participating in (e.g, varsity sports, drama, orchestra, choir, church or Bible study, fraternity or ILG membership)? What is the time commitment per week for each? For example, some varsity sports require 20+ hours each week for practices and meets. Performance groups have regular rehearsals during the week which intensify closer to the performance date. Working: Does the student need to work as part of a financial aid package? Again, what is the time commitment? A student’s financial loan counselor in Student Financial Services may be able to help the student negotiate his/her situation to allow the student to work fewer hours. Personal Problems or Extenuating Circumstances: Were there extenuating circumstances last year that may have had a negative impact on the advisee's performance? Has the student addressed the issues? Is she/ or she seeking help from anyone to ensure that such problems don't arise again (e.g., counseling or mental health services)? If your advisees is not already connected with them, the staff of the Student Support Services Office, x3-4861, room 5-104, offer confidential general help to students in distress, including, but not limited to, individual counseling. In addition, Mental Health Services at MIT Medical, E23-34d floor, offers individual and group counseling for students. A student in crisis may also walk over (or be walked over) to Mental Health Services and be seen immediately. Read more in: |
