Can you please review my appeal regarding my academic dismissal?
Describe the reasons you did not do well in your courses this past semester. Please explain in at least 250 words.
This past semester I did not do well in my courses due to my own lack of time management skills. After my parents were unable to support my academic expenses, I began to focus more insistently on the businesses that I had created as a side job, working on it late into the nights. This damaged my sleep schedule, causing me to constantly miss class due to my sleep deprivation. Every time I failed to attend class, the more behind I got, and the more discouraged I became. I began to immerse myself even more into my businesses because not only was that the only aspect of my life that I could control at that time, I also felt productive doing it. I used the excuse that I was falling behind because I was too busy working so I could pay for my academic fees, when in reality I just did not have proper time management skills. At any time I could have easily communicated with my adviser and professors for help or set aside time to study and work on my assignments, but I didn’t. Instead, I ended up failing the semester, and with that failure, I received this academic dismissal. It turned my world upside down, but right side up. I arrived at the revelation that I had been digging myself into a hole that I thought I could never get out of, when in reality there was a ladder right next to me. There were so many resources I could have utilized that could have assisted me in my struggle, my adviser, professor, office hours, study sessions, tutors, etc. Finally, I remembered once again the fire of motivation and passion I felt when I first arrived in this university, when I first walked through the “Beginnings,” and started my journey here at UC Merced, the vow I made to my family and myself, that I would graduate and walk the stage as the first generation of this family. This fiery passion has not been lost.
Provide your clearly stated plan to return to good academic standing. This plan should address the obstacles you identified above. Please explain in at least 250 words.
I have realized my priority is my education. I immersed myself in my business and began working for the sake of working, rather than working for the sake of providing for my education. I realize that my approach is wrong, and after receiving this shocking and upsetting dismissal, I have realized the sadness, regret and disappointment this dismissal would evoke in my family and friends, but more than anything, the disappointment and sadness in myself. I don’t want to make my parents cry and blame themselves because they weren’t able to provide me with an education that they were never able to receive. More than anything, I don’t want to leave this university knowing that if I had managed my time properly I would’ve been able to finish my journey here. I’ve received this opportunity for a second chance, and I refuse to make the same mistakes. First, I will retake the classes I failed over the summer, which I am currently in the process of doing after talking to my adviser. Second, I will improve my time management skills - not dedicating my nights to my businesses causing me to oversleep and miss class - by utilizing the academic planner in my phone. Third, I will make my education a top priority. I will allot time everyday to study and complete my assignments. I will complete my assignments on time and study weeks in advance for quizzes and tests. Fourth, I will minimize or eliminate distractions such as social media and browsing the web by utilizing the library and study rooms provided by the university. Fifth, I will communicate with my adviser and professors and attend their office hours if I have any questions or if I need any assistance rather than attempting to figure it out myself. Sixth, I will utilize the provided resources by the university such as the Calvin E. Bright Success Center and PALS for help and tutoring. By implementing the following strategies, I am determined to conquer my weaknesses and succeed at my time in this university.