Dealing Actively with Academic Problems
Academic Probation
Repeating Courses
Academic Integrity and Academic Dishonesty
Dealing Actively with Academic Problems
Nearly all Northwestern students did very well in high school. Some are less successful in some of their college courses. Some students have clear evidence that they are doing poorly; they receive low grades on exams or other coursework. Others just suspect or fear that they are doing poorly. For example, they may have difficulty understanding reading assignments, or they may feel confused by instructors' lectures.
If you feel--or know--that you are doing poorly in a course, you should act on it! Don't wait till the end of the quarter, when it may be too late to constructively deal with the situation. See your professor or TA to discuss your situation and to get some extra help. Meet with your Freshman Adviser or a College Adviser. Think about changing your approach to learning course material. If you've been doing all of your studying alone, you might set up a study group. If you've just been reading over class notes before quizzes, think about highlighting key points or outlining the most important information. Consider working with a tutor. Several departments in the College provide tutors to help students with their coursework; more information is available from department offices or through department websites.
If you're having problems writing course papers, or if you'd just like to improve your writing, consider a visit to The Writing Place. Located in the University Library, The Writing Place provides carefully trained and supervised student tutors as well as reference works such as dictionaries, style manuals, and research guides.
Various campus resources can help you to improve your study and test-taking skills and to use your time more effectively. The University Academic Advising Center offers guidance and workshops for all Northwestern students, and the Academic Services Division of the Department of Athletics and Recreation provides academic assistance and personal counseling to varsity-level student-athletes as well as club-sport athletes. You might also consider a visit to CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services). This can be a good idea if you think that personal problems may be interfering with your academic performance, if you are very upset by your less-than-ideal performance, or if you're just feeling confused about your situation.
If you are struggling in a course, you should meet with your Freshman Adviser or College Adviser to chat about the implications—good and bad—of dropping it. Keep in mind that you can only drop a course within six weeks of the start of the quarter; see the Registrar’s Class Schedule for the exact deadline. You shouldn't drop a course without a good reason, but you also shouldn't stick with one just because you're "not a quitter."
If you think you will be unable to finish all the required work for a course by the end of the quarter, getting an Incomplete (a grade of Y) and finishing later may be an option. Permission to receive a Y grade is granted only when circumstances beyond your control prevent timely completion of the course. If you finish a course, but earn a low grade, you may consider repeating the course.
If you are disappointed with your academic performance, keep in mind that lots of Northwestern students share this experience--even though they may not tell you. This doesn't, of course, mean that doing more poorly than you'd like is good. Sometimes, though, you may need to readjust your expectations. You may need to recognize that courses at Northwestern really are harder than most high school courses and to acknowledge that you will be less successful in some areas of study than in others.
Poor performance in your courses at Northwestern can have serious consequences. If your overall performance falls below certain Weinberg College standards, you may be put on academic probation. You should also be aware of the limits on how C- and D grades can count toward College requirements.
Students in Weinberg College can be placed on probation for any of the following reasons:
- Earning two or more grades below C in any quarter.
- Having a cumulative GPA below 2.00 on all work attempted at Northwestern University (applicable for sophomores, juniors, and seniors).
- Failing in each of two consecutive quarters to complete at least three one-unit courses or the equivalent. Or, after six quarters of residence, failing to earn an average of three course units for each quarter of residence because of dropped courses, F or N grades, or uncompleted courses.
- Failing to maintain a C average in the major field of study
The assignment of probation, which is notice that progress toward the degree is unsatisfactory, is a confidential matter between Weinberg College and the student. It is not noted on the student's transcript and does not jeopardize eligibility to participate in extra-curricular activities.
If you receive notice that you are on academic probation, be sure to set up a meeting with a College Adviser by calling 847-491-8916. If you are a freshman, you should see your Freshman Adviser. You and the adviser can explore reasons for your unsatisfactory performance and discuss what you might do differently in order to raise your performance level.
Many students are removed from academic probation after just one quarter. To qualify for removal from probation, you normally must complete each of at least three courses for a grade of C or higher, and your cumulative GPA must be at least 2.00. Grades of X, Y, and N are, in the absence of extenuating circumstances, all counted as F's in calculation of the GPA. In addition, students cannot be removed from probation at the end of a quarter in which they have earned an F in any course.
If you are on probation and you do not correct the academic deficiency within the period of probation--usually the subsequent quarter--you may be dismissed from the University. Dismissal is generally for a full year. Students who have occupied themselves constructively during that year are generally re-admitted to Weinberg College under conditions of academic probation. In unusual cases, a student who is dismissed may be readmitted to Northwestern after less than a full year's absence. For more information, see a College Adviser.
If you have taken a course and received a passing but insufficient grade, you may repeat the course and try to earn a higher grade. This circumstance usually occurs when you earn a grade of D in a course where a grade of C- or better is required, such as a course in your major or in the final quarter of a two-year foreign language sequence. Sometimes students choose to retake courses that are prerequisites for more advanced courses or for graduate or professional programs.
When you take a course for the second time, both times you took the course will appear on your official transcript. While both the original and the second grades will count toward your GPA, you will earn a total of only one credit toward the minimum of 45 courses required for graduation from Weinberg College. In other words, you may only count the course once toward graduation, and the grades in effect average out.
