“B’s” Happen ... Yes, they do!
Regardless of your son or daughter’s superlative ACT/SAT score or near-perfect high school GPA….he/she is entering a whole new academic level at Creighton. It’s like moving from youth soccer to varsity, from violin lessons to orchestra first-chair, from a member of the chorus to the lead actor.
The competition just got a lot tougher, the instruction more demanding and the time pressures far greater. Do not expect your student to be perfect. And a word to the wise… it is far better for a student to visit with a professor about his/her status than for you to intervene!
Consider this:
- The class profile of Creighton students includes lots of valedictorians and salutatorians.
- Typically, “re-do’s” and “extra credit” are not available like they were in high school.
- Sometimes the grade is based only on a mid-term and final exam.
- While our professors are usually friendly and personal, they may not know everyone’s name.
- Strong students are studying 25-30 hours per week.
That’s a lot to deal with…especially when you combine that with all of the adjustments that go with being a freshman – like living away from home with a new roommate in a very small room. How about suddenly having lots of new found freedom and being surrounded by 1000 new freshman classmates, many very different from your son/daughter?
Despite the rumor mill, no one is trying to weed anyone out!
So what can you do as a parent to help your student if he is struggling in a class or two?
Your best parental instincts tell you to be supportive and encouraging. Follow those instincts. But even more than that…you can familiarize yourself with this web site as well as other CU sites that describe the myriad of academic resources.
If struggling with a course, have your student schedule an appointment and meet individually with the professor. Tell him about the tutoring availability. Give her the phone number of the Center for Student Success and Retention (280-2566). Let her know when the last day to withdraw from a class occurs so she can decide if that is the best option. Be sure he knows the location of the Writing Center.
Every parent wants a child to develop character and self-sufficiency. So nudge and encourage your student to pursue the resources that you have explored but keep in mind that ultimately, it is your student’s responsibility to send the e-mail, make the phone call, walk into the office and meet with the folks that can help.
Don’t panic! It can be a rocky ride at first but good students figure out how to right the ship. They learn that notes must be reviewed daily, that test preparation must begin a full week or more before the test, that papers cannot be written at the last minute and that every once in a while, a Friday night must be spent in the library.
Sometimes a grade of “B” or lower is the best wake-up call that Creighton can provide. Or it may be the best grade your son or daughter can achieve in a very challenging course of study.