Hello everyone,

At most universities, the Fall semester has just ended and the end of a semester means that students will be receiving grades. For some first year students, grades at the end of the first semester can come as a shock. Grades mean different things to different people but no matter what you think about grades, they matter to your college career. Although grades do not measure your worth as a person, they are important because they determine your grade point average, which is important for President’s and Dean’s List calculations, for scholarship and internship opportunities and even for finding your first job after graduation. If your grades (and therefore, your grade point average) drop below certain levels, you may even be placed on academic probation or be asked to leave school. If you find yourself in this situation, most schools offer a number of opportunities for quickly bringing your grade point average up and you should take advantage of this. At Plymouth State University, for example, if a student receives a grade lower than a C- in a class, the student can retake the class to receive a new grade. The new grade (even if it is lower) will replace the original grade in the grade point average calculation, although the original grade will still appear on the student’s transcript. Replacement of low grades with higher grades will bring a grade point average up very quickly! Of course, the best way to stay out of academic trouble is to not receive low grades in the first place.

If you are having trouble with some of your classes, seek help as early as possible.  At Plymouth State University we have a Writing Center and a Math Activity Center to help students.  Find out what resources are available at your school and take advantage of them.  They are there to help!

Happy Holidays!
Cathie