March 26, 2008
Under Construction
By Patricia Chase
Director of Health and Wellness
Summer in Michigan usually means our roadways will be awash with “cone zones.” The temperatures warm up, the snow melts, and it is time to repair some of the damage that occurred over the long winter. Because the first year in college is an adjustment period, your students may have encountered a few unexpected “road bumps” of their own. Fortunately, many find that summer is an ideal time to do some academic reconstruction work on their grade point average and get ahead before fall.
Students in an academically uncomfortable position may believe that there is nothing they can do about it. Yet in many cases, steps can be taken to improve the situation. Alma College Registrar Sue Deel suggests that the fastest way to repair a grade point average is to repeat the class as soon as possible. Your student’s advisor can offer suggestions and guide them through this process. Some courses may be retaken over the summer at a local college. Achieving at least a “C” average in each class will help to raise a GPA by eliminating low or failed grades.
“As parents, we may want to ‘go easy’ on our students during break, but summer is not the time to let them relax too much. Summer classes, summer jobs, and other responsibilities that require a schedule will help keep them in good shape when they return to Alma in the fall.”
Enrolling in a summer class also is a good way to improve academic progress. Deel advises students to check with the Registrar’s Office (x 7348) prior to enrolling in any classes to be sure they will transfer and will repeat the Alma College course. It also is a good idea to work with the Financial Aid office (x 7347) and discuss the impact of their academic status on their financial aid package.
Part of pothole avoidance is prevention. As parents, we may want to “go easy” on our students during break, but summer is not the time to let them relax too much. Summer classes, summer jobs, and other responsibilities that require a schedule will help keep them in good shape when they return to Alma in the fall. Students should continue to challenge themselves by reading over the summer. It may even be possible for them to purchase some of next fall’s textbooks and read ahead.
Another good idea, if organizational skills were an issue, is for them to experiment with different organizational plans until they find one that works for them. Planners don’t work for everyone. Sticky notes, index cards and computer programs work as well, but no one becomes organized by wishing—it takes practice.
Summer repair work can be an opportunity for student to catch up, get ahead, and stay ahead. The good thing about summer construction is that, once it is done, traveling becomes much more pleasant.
Contact: Patricia Chase, (989) 463-7225
