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Spring Semester Grades
It is very likely that your student has had an academically successful semester and year. But if your student experienced difficulties, here is some important information.
Final semester grades will be available for students to view today through their GoWMU account and also to authorized users with access to grades.
Students will be notified through their wmich.edu e-mail account if their academic standing changes to probation, extended probation, final probation or dismissal. The e-mail will explain what the standing means and what impact it has on future registration. If the student has been academically dismissed, a hard copy letter will also be mailed to his or her permanent/home address.
Students who have been academically dismissed will be dropped from their Summer I courses on Thursday, May 3.
If the semester didn't go so well, here is a "repeat" of some suggestion you may find helpful.
1. Before you discuss the semester with your student, take a deep breath and try to calm your emotions. Your conversation will be much more fruitful if you can approach it with thoughtfulness and purpose.
2. Your student likely feels worse than you do. Not only is he or she dealing with the consequences of poor academic performance, there is also the added stress of having disappointed you. These are powerful feelings and even more challenging than the sense of personal failure from a bombed out semester.
3. If you approach the situation as a tough but valuable learning experience, your student may become stronger, both academically and personally. We learn much from our failures and even more from having the chance to rise above them. Everyone occasionally needs a "do over" and this may be your opportunity to encourage it.
4. Talk to your student about what went wrong during the semester (preferably with a calm approach). Did he or she get caught up in the social scene? Attend class regularly? Need help with study skills? Have other issues that overshadowed the focus on academics? A conversation from the heart can be most helpful at this point - especially if you can find ways to approach your student as a young adult taking responsibility for his or her actions - and not just as your child who may have let you down.
5. Talk about next year. Even in a "worst case scenario" of academic dismissal, your student can make a fresh start at a community college and begin again with a stronger sense of purpose and focus. Encourage your student to take advantage of resources that will prove beneficial in improving academic performance. Ask how you can help prepare for next year and support him or her in this next step. What does your student need from you? What does your student need from us?
6. And finally, remind your student how much you love 'em! He or she may have really messed up this semester, but your love doesn't go away. Your trust and support are essential in moving towards positive change.
And finally, please know that we are here to help support you and your student however possible.
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We are looking forward to welcoming our new students and families to Orientation in June. We have a terrific program planned for you to get to know your new WMU home.
Go Broncos!
