Rebounding After a Rough Semester

It's tough to see your college student struggling, especially after their first semester.  But in reality, first semester struggles are common. A rocky start doesn't define their entire college journey, and it can be a chance for learning and growth. Here's how you can offer support and help them bounce back:

1. Open the Lines of Communication:  Start by listening without judgment. First semester struggles are common, and many students feel embarrassed, worried, or distressed when they find themselves in this situation. Acknowledge their feelings (frustration, disappointment, discouragement) and avoid minimizing their struggles or offering unsolicited advice right away. 

2. Assess the Situation and Consequences:  Some students might be grappling with getting lower grades than they are used to getting, while others are dealing with the reality of not passing classes. If your student is a recipient of a merit award, other scholarships, or some forms of financial aid, they might have a minimum GPA requirement to meet in order to maintain / renew the award. Fortunately, the old model of schools simply pulling awards after a rough semester is mostly gone now, but many schools do put students in a probationary status and possibly reduce the award amount until the student improves their grades.  When students and families are trying to sort out the financial impact of a rough semester, the best place to start is with a review of the terms and requirements of the student’s award(s). There are probably links to this information in your student’s portal. The task is to figure out what your student may need to accomplish to restore the award or minimize the damage – which might mean repeating a class to replace a grade and/or improving grades overall the next semester. You may also find that your student has not lost any merit aid / financial benefits, but is cutting it close and needs to make some improvements to their study habits. Whatever the case, it is important to work with facts. A phone call to the school’s financial aid office can probably help sort this out (and remember, they are very used to hearing from students and families facing this situation and are there to help).

3.  Identify the Root Cause(s):  Instead of asking "What went wrong?", try asking things like: "What was the most challenging part of this semester?" and "What do you think contributed to the difficulties you faced?" and "At what point did you realize that things weren’t going well?”

The following missteps have thrown even the most confident and capable students off kilter, and identifying which were the primary factors is an important step before identifying solutions:

• Course Selection Errors? Did your student take too much on - either by enrolling in advanced classes or taking too many credit hours?

• Academics? College study habits are a big change from high school, and require more time spent on independent learning. Classes also move at a faster pace. Did your student have trouble adjusting to the change?

• Poor Attendance? Many professors don’t track attendance, and some students interpret this as “attendance optional.” 

• Not Using Campus Resources? Students who were successful in high school without tutoring might not realize that the student services and tutoring centers at colleges are there to help everyone. 

• Not Seeking Out Help? Sometimes problems start by a student not turning in an assignment or paper or doing poorly on an exam, and then thinking that they can dig their way out of that on their own. Students forge on rather than reach out to the professor or instructor early on. Professors may be decide to accept late work, provide additional help, or recommend campus tutoring services, but they can’t do this if the student isn’t reaching out.

• Time Management? Did your student have an overloaded schedule? Perhaps too many social and extracurricular commitments were competing with academic demands?

• Personal Issues? Health problems, homesickness, stress, loneliness, financial pressures, or relationship difficulties can easily spill over into other areas and affect concentration, engagement, and focus on academics. 

4. Create a Practical Plan of Action:

• Set Realistic Goals: Work together to set small, achievable goals for the coming semester. Instead of "get all A's," try "attend every class and complete all assignments on time." Other practical goals are “go to professor’s office hours at least once a month” and “join a study group.”

• Make Necessary Adjustments:  Your student may need to allow more time for studying, reduce extracurricular commitments, or simplify their course schedule in order to rebound. Identifying these changes over a break is helpful.

• Establish Checkpoints:  This is especially helpful for students who didn’t realize how behind they were until it was too late.

• Tap Into Campus Resources: Make sure they are aware of and utilizing the support services available on campus:

• Tutoring Centers: For help with specific subjects.

• Academic Advising: To discuss course selection, study strategies, and major exploration.

• Counseling Services: For help with stress, anxiety, or other mental health concerns.

• Develop a Time Management Strategy: Help them create a schedule that balances class time, study time, social activities, and self-care. Encourage them to use tools like calendars, planners, or time management apps.

4. Offer Ongoing Support and Encouragement:

• Be a Cheerleader: Let your student know you believe in them and their ability to succeed.

• Encourage Healthy Habits: Remind them of the importance of getting enough sleep, eating nutritious meals, and exercising regularly.

• Check In Regularly: Schedule regular phone calls or video chats to check in on their progress and offer support.

5. Reframe Mistakes as Learning Opportunities:

• Focus on Growth: Help your student see this as a chance to learn and grow, not as a failure.

• Share Your Own Experiences: If you've faced similar challenges in the past, share your story and how you overcame them.

Important Considerations:

• Respect Their Autonomy: While it's important to offer support, avoid being overly controlling or critical.

• Confidentiality: Understand that if your student is 18 years old or older, FERPA prevents colleges and faculty from sharing grades and academic records with you. Your student will need to talk to professors and advisors directly.

By providing a listening ear, practical advice, and unwavering support, you can help your college student navigate this challenging time and emerge stronger and more resilient.