Academic Success Conference

BY VERONES PADILLA

SC Staff Writer

On January 19, 2014 the office of Academic Enrichment and Learning will hold an Academic Success Conference geared towards freshman and sophomores who have experienced academic difficulties.

The conference, which is mandatory for students with a GPA below a 2.0, is a day of workshops designed to help teach struggling students new strategies to take charge of their academic success.

Students will be given the opportunity to meet with faculty, staff, and other students.

“The transition to any four year school is tough.  This program is for students to learn through the experiences of our faculty and staff,” says Dr. Jack Truschel, Director of Academic Advising for Undeclared Students.

The meet and greet is designed for students to get a first person account from faculty, who will give specific tools for academic achievement.  The workshop is aptly named “How do you pass my class?”

Workshops will focus on a wide range of topics crucial to academic success such as financial aid matters.

“Current federal guidelines specify that students under a 2.0 GPA are in danger of losing their financial aid,” said Peg Diaco, Secretary of Student Support Services.

Students will be taught what their rights and responsibilities are when financing their education.

Students can expect workshops focused on academic success strategies, such as note taking, organization skills and test preparation.

A recent national study developed by the John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education found that students are not learning these required skills in high school.

“We are finding that some students had few academic demands in high school,” said Dr. Truschel.

When talking to students Dr. Truschel learned many of them share similar bad habits like procrastination, forgotten assignments, and cramming for exams.

The conference will teach time management skills as well as self-motivational strategies needed for academic excellence.

The stress of college life and the expectation of personal responsibility is a common challenge for young adults entering college.  Dr. Truschel and his panelists will offer as much assistance as needed.

In fact, each student who attends the conference will meet with an academic advisor. Together with their advisor, students will make any needed adjustments to their spring semester schedule.

When the spring semester begins, the student will have regular meetings with their advisor to develop and adjust their individual plan. The students and advisors will set goals throughout the semester to assure a solution for their academic situation.

Past conferences have proven successful for students in need. The last program scheduled will be facilitated by students who have experienced similar academic troubles and have improved their standings. The goal of the program is to help struggling students improve significantly and as quickly as possible.

Although it is a student’s responsibility to register if they fall below a 2.0 GPA, the office of Academic Enrichment and Learning will reach out to students in need. The office will make phone calls and send letters home to any student who fails to register on their own.

For more information on the conference or to register visit the Academic Success Conference page on the ESU website.

Email Verones at:

vpadilla@live.esu.edu