Academic
Safety Net
An online workshop facilitated by the
Academic Success Center ~ UL Lafayette
Junior Division
Why are interim grades
important?
• Interim grades are an early sign
of academic difficulty
• 1 in 5 students with D’s, F’s or
W’s at interim grades went on
academic probation in Fall ’08
What steps should I take
to get back on track?
• Explore contributing factors to
academic difficulty
• Educate yourself
• Get to know your advisor
• Seek out campus resources
Causes of Academic
Difficulty
 Generally, there are 5 main causes of
academic difficulty:
 Motivational difficulties
 Adjustment to college life
 Study Skills
 Directions/Goals
 Personal Issues (including finances)
Motivational Issues
 Motivational difficulties can include
difficulty adapting to and feeling a sense
of belonging in a competitive academic
environment.
 How would you describe your motivation
level this semester?
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
Adjustment to College Life
• Balancing study with the new freedoms and
responsibilities of adult living can be a difficult
challenge.
• What has the adjustment process been like for
you?
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
___________________________________
Study Skills
• Studying is essential to academic success.
• What is your current study method and what
are your plans for improvement?
Student Success Workshop
• ___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
____________________________
Lack of Direction
• Often times students are unaware of
the various options they have when
choosing a major.
• What is your major & why did you choose
it?
________________________________
• How well is this major suited to your
interests and abilities?
________________________________
http://studentsuccess.louisiana.edu/career
Personal Issues
• Personal issues can affect academic
performance. Ex: health, relationships,
finances, family responsibilities, etc.
• What if any personal issues have affected you
this semester?
• ____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
• http://www.louisiana.edu/Student/Counseling
Need to know information
• Academic probation and
suspension
• Financial aid probation and
suspension
Facts about Academic
Probation
• Approximately 1/3 of First Time
Freshmen (FTF) who go on
Academic Probation after their
first semester do not return for the
following semester.
What is Academic Probation?
• A first semester freshmen
with a 1.33 GPA or below will
be placed on academic
probation for the following
semester.
How can I figure out my GPA?
• Using the GPA estimator on ULink, what is
your current average this semester based
on interim grades? _________
• If the semester ended today, would you be
placed on academic probation?
What do I do if get on
Academic Probation?
 While on academic probation,
students must make a semester
GPA of 2.0 or higher.
 If a student does not meet this
semester GPA requirement, the
student will be suspended from the
university.
How to I get off of academic
probation?
• A student must raise their
cumulative GPA to a 2.0 or
higher to get back to
academic good standing.
What if I get suspended?
• If suspended a student can submit an appeal
with their academic dean’s office.
• Visit the following link for more details:
http://studentsuccess.louisiana.edu/appeals/index.shtml
• Action Plan: What steps can I take to avoid
probation this semester?
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
Does academic standing affect
financial aid status?
• Students on academic probation may
also be placed on financial aid
probation.
• Visit the following website for financial
aid guidelines:
http://admissions.louisiana.edu/financial-aid/standards.shtml
What if I am placed on
financial aid suspension?
• Students can earn back FA by:
– paying for classes and earning at least a
2.0 GPA
– submitting a financial aid appeal
• Visit the following link for more
information:
http://studentsuccess.louisiana.edu/appeals/index.shtml
Tips to stay on track…
• Get to know your your Academic Counselors
http://studentsuccess.louisiana.edu/
• Be an active listener
• Attend Class
• Ask questions in class
• Take notes
• Recopy notes the same day
• Find a study place (library, coffee shop, etc.)
• Use instructors’ office hours
Tips to stay on track…
• Avoid the “drop mentality”
– registering for one more class than
you plan to finish, to allow for
dropping
• Eat healthy
• Get a good night’s rest
• Go to tutoring in Lee Hall
• Use the Writing Center in Griffin Hall
• Avoid working too much
Recommended
Study/Work Hours
Credit Hours
Study Hours Per
Week
Work Hours Per
Week
(no more than)
15
30
15-18
12
24
24
9
18
30
Advisors are a
valuable resource
 Why should you get to know your advisor?
 Knowledgeable about academic requirements
 Advising occurs in March for the fall semester and
October for the spring semester.
 Willing to work with you in achieving your academic
goals
 Ex: graduate schools, internships, career
opportunities, and job availability
 Who is your advisor? Where is he or she located? How
often do you correspond with him/her?
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
Campus Resources
• The Resource and Referral Guide for
Advisors and Students (PDF) &
• Student Guide to Academic Procedures and
Resources (PDF)
• Admissions – 336 Martin Hall, 482-6473
http://admissions.louisiana.edu/basics/
• Academic Success Center – 115 Lee Hall, 482-6818
http://studentsuccess.louisiana.edu/
• Campus Organizations
http://www.louisiana.edu/Student/Organizations
Campus Resources
• Career Counseling - 110 Lee Hall, 482-5431
http://studentsuccess.louisiana.edu/career
• Counseling & Testing - 2nd floor Olivier Hall,
• 482-6480
http://www.louisiana.edu/Student/Counseling
• Financial Aid – 106 Foster Hall, 482-5252
http://admissions.louisiana.edu/financial-aid/
• Learning Center – 2nd floor, Lee Hall
http://studentsuccess.louisiana.edu/learning
• Office of Disability Services – 126 Conference
Center, 482-2742
http://disability.louisiana.edu/
Congratulations
• You have completed the Academic Safety
Net Workshop.
• You are now required to meet with an
academic counselor in 115 Lee Hall to
review and discuss your steps to a
successful semester.