<p>I'm on academic probation. When your on AP, your credit limit is 7 credits. But you can appeal to exceed the number of credits.
My plan was to take 3 classes: Educational Psych, Intro. to Womens Studies, and Human Growth and Dvelopment. Today at the appeal hearing, there was 2 women: one that ran the show, and another that I think was just a helper. When I went to appeal, I got the helper women. She immediatley tried changing my courses around. She wants me to retake the math class I failed in the fall, retake intro to psych(that I DID NOT fail. I got a D, but a D is passing and I did get credit for the course) take a reading/study skills class, and a college success seminar(that you must take if you want to appeal and it's granted).
The thing that I don't like is that the letter about my AP did not say anything about having to change courses if you wanted to appeal, and before the actual appeal part started, when the main women was talking, she didn't say anything about changing the courses you wanted to take. I'm really not comfortable with retake a course that I got credit for, and taking 2 study skill classes.
What should I do? Is the women I dealt with right by what she's doing?</p>
<p>Time to shelve any feelings of rage or misery. Next, what, exactly is the woman wanting? To build your study skills and to make sure you pass the math class. Let’s break that down into the two parts:</p>
<p>1) Study skills. Where exactly did you fall off the pony this last term? Was it failure to get to class? Failure to turn in assignments? Or did you attend regularly, turn in assignments faithfully only to have the work not meet standard? </p>
<p>If you did the work and it was not up to standard, then you may NEED the skills classes. However, if it was other stuff (like attendance and noncompliance), then you can say that and tell her your plan (politely) for things to be different now. Such as buying a louder alarm, taking a class later in the day, . . .whatever positive steps you have in mind. </p>
<p>2) The math class. Do you NEED it for your degree? If not, point that out and suggest an alternative choice that is required. If the math class is required, you will have to conquer it at some point. What is your plan?</p>
<p>Your winning plan is polite – but don’t sign off on anything that will plunge you into misery. You can say “I’m not sure WHY you are suggesting this path. Will you please tell me what you are seeing?” Listen carefully. Make sure you pick up on what she knows and what she has seen be successful with other students. </p>
<p>But, screw your butt in the chair. Stay there, politely, until this is resolved in a way that you can handle. You can say "I really appreciate your advice but we are not yet at a plan that I feel confident will work for me. Another option might be . . . "</p>
<p>For this to work, you need to schedule this meeting at a time when you are not going to be dashing out the door to make the next event. Make sure you’ve been to the bathroom and had a good snack so you are ready to sit and discuss . . . forever. </p>
<p>If the lady is trying to push you on, say “this has to be resolved right away. If you are out of time today, can we please meet tomorrow first thing to finish?” Then be there, with bells on your toes (NOT LATE!!!) and sit there through the next round until this is resolved. </p>
<p>Your enemies are impatience, ignorance (of requirements, rules of the game) and anger. Your allies are politeness, persistence and information.<br>
Good luck!</p>
<p>I do not need the math as a requirement.
The reason why I did so bad was because I am a senior in high school, finishing high school early by taking classes at community college. I did not realize how hard and different the work was in college compared to high school work. I’m still in ‘high school mode’, but I realized my mistakes in the fall, and am working to do things differently in the spring. I just don’t think retaking a course that I didn’t fail in is necessary and I don’t think I need 2 study skills courses if they will be teaching the same thing.</p>
<p>This is tough. You may need someone in your corner so that you get treated with respect – but, alas, taking a parent might present the wrong message. </p>
<p>I think you have to “seek advice” – go to the dean or a guidance counselor OTHER than the lady who is putting you on a path you don’t like. Again, polite but firm – any tone or words of outrage will make you sound immature. So, if you say "I don’t understand why . . " it had better be a professional tone of voice – not whiney or angry. </p>
<p>Same goes with your preferred alternative. So you put it forward with "This is my preference. What are you seeing as an obstacle to this path succeeding? Listen carefully and address their points one by one. See if you can get at least part of what you want. (you may not get 100%)
Good luck!</p>