So here’s my story: I’m a first time student who skipped out of 40 or so credits through AP.
I got to college, but my AP credits didn’t prepare me for all of the upper level coursework I’m taking. Lo and behold, my GPA is looking like it’s going to go through the floor. I know it’s early, but it’s been two months in and it looks like the coursework is only going to get harder.
I’m not on federal aid, but I am receiving money from scholarships. I’m pretty sure I won’t make the grades to retain the scholarship money for next semester, but I also know dropping full time status (I’m at 12 cr. right now) makes me ineligible for the scholarship money too
It seems as if I will not be able to realistically get this money either way, but what should I do? Withdraw from the term, withdraw from the classes I am not doing well in, or stick it out and have a bad GPA? I think I’m going to go to community college next semester instead of the four year university I am currently attending.
Also, if I can’t renew the scholarship for next semester, would I be able to get it back later on if I meet the requirements? I know scholarships vary, but what is the typical outcome of this situation?
You need to go meet with your advisor, and talk about this. That person should be able to give you information specific to your college/university. For example, it may be possible for you to drop one or two classes instead of everything.
You also should pop by the counseling center on campus to sort through your study strategies. You may yet be able to pull your grades up to where they need to be.
Your school takes away the scholarship after ONE semester? Many do NOT do that. Many schools wait until after the second semester because they know many kids have issues the first semester.
WAIT!!
In the meantime…what are you taking? What tutoring offerings does your school have??? Most or many schools provide FREE tutoring…either thru the depts or at a central location. Sometimes the TA’s tutor.
GET some study groups going or join existing ones.
You’re probably having trouble because MANY high schools make it easy to get good grades…little homework, lots of extra credit opps, etc.
Why would you think that you cannot lose your scholarship after one semester when you can lose your Federal/State aid after one semester if you do not make SAP? (same concept).
However, ITA that op needs to speak with his/her advisor, take advantage of professors office hours, tutoring services, writing labs, etc.
Being away from home for the first time can be a challenge. Op also needs to evaluate how s/he is managing time, between academics, work, play and rest which can be challenging with out a parent on your case (and I mean this in the nicest way).
Many schools do not review merit scholarship qualifications until the year end. Since those dollars aren’t tied to any federal/state rules about SAP, they can do that.
Also be sure to make sure you understand your school’s requirements from all the right people. A school may allow dropping below 12 hours for example.
Get through this semester with the tutoring or other help, studying extra, taking advantage of study skills programs on campus, going to every class, etc.
Have you been following the class syllabuses? Do you understand what is required of you?
Your adviser and various people in academic depts can certainly provide some insight/options.
Another misstep that many frosh do is they don’t realize that college profs don’t often remind students of upcoming assignments, tests, etc. They often tell you ONCE, and you have to remember.
High school teachers often remind, and often keep upcoming dates written in the corner of a white board.
My daughter’s GPA for scholarship purposes was not looked at until after both semesters of her freshman year ended. And after that there were probationary semesters for students who failed to meet the GPA requirement. Every school has its own policies and some policies are much more generous than others.
OP, you need to meet with an advisor to work through this. I would also talk to someone in the office that handles scholarships so that you know exactly what the school’s policy is - when they look at your GPA, whether there is a probationary period, what the minimum number of credits is, whether the scholarship can be reinstated, etc.
Are you taking advantage of every resource your school offers? Tutoring, professor’s office hours, study groups, etc.? Do you know your profs’ grading policies? For instance, some professors will curve at the end of the semester, so that a grade that looks really bad during the semester might not look so bad once the curve is applied. You might talk to your individual professors to try to get a sense of how you’re doing relative to the rest of the class, whether you might be able to dig your way out of the hole, and what their advice might be.
Without all of that information, I don’t think you can make an informed decision on whether withdrawing might be the best course of action.