<p>My son just finished his 1st. year of college and learned he failed 2 of his classes. What are his options at this point? Can he retake the classes next year? Does he have to take them this summer?
What does he have to do to return to school next school year?</p>
<p>He will need to talk to his academic adviser at school to find out his options. There are so many other things that may affect this. For instance how did he do on his other classes. Some schools have a policy that you must have a certain GPA to continue (usually at least a 2.00) or to be put on probation. Every school has their own policies. Also if financial aid is an issue that usually requires a minimum GPA.</p>
<p>As far as the classes in question - If they are required classes he may be able to retake them. However most schools do not just let you lose the bad grade - the most common thing I hear of is that you can get an averaged grade from the 1st and 2nd takes - though with an F that might not be too helpful. Sometimes it may be possible to get some sort of grade forgiveness. His school may have a different policy - he needs to ask them.</p>
<p>The most important thing of course is to find out why he failed. That has to be addressed so that it does not happen again. Also I have to ask - did he not realize he was close to failing? My kids, even the one who is not really (at all) interested in academics , have a fairly good idea of where they stand at least within a grade (ie - they know it is around an A or a B, or a B or C). If they are anywhere near a D or an F then it is time for action such as talking to the prof, the adviser, and possibly dropping the class. Ws are not great to have on the transcript but better than Fs for sure. Sounds like your son needs to spend some time visiting with his adviser.</p>
<p>It seems that he’d be put on academic probation and would need to achieve above a certain GPA or risk not being permitted to continue. If the failed courses are required ones he’ll need to retake the classes, either in the summer or in the fall. The new grade might replace the previous one for the GPA calc but the failed one will still appear on the transcript. Policies on this vary with the college.</p>
<p>The key question is - why did he fail the two classes in the first place and what’s he changed (usually lifestyle) such that he won’t fail again? Was it because of partying, sleeping in, skipping HW to watch TV/play video games, he was ill for much of it, etc.?</p>
<p>Edit: I cross-posted with swimcatsmom but we concur in our responses.</p>
<p>I think we all agree that, had he put in the proper effort, he would not have failed. C’s maybe, but not failed.</p>
<p>These are questions that your son needs to be asking his school and department, because it varies from school to school and possibly from class to class.</p>
<p>Yes, check the individual school policy. At some places you can repeat up to a certain number of classes for inclusion in GPA but the transcript will show the failed class as well.</p>
<p>The main thing you need is to find out if he is on academic probation. </p>
<p>If he is not - suppose in the fall he had four B’s and in the spring he had two B’s and two F’s, for example, yielding a GPA over 2.0 - then it is likely that this is just a hit on his GPA. He will not get credit for the classes, and if they were classes he needs, he’ll have to retake them, but no major damage done and perhaps a lesson learned.</p>
<p>If his GPA is under 2, it is likely he is on probation. Maybe he is saying he does not know if he is on academic probation or not. It is possible he did not receive the letter about this. If this is the case, he needs to call the registrar’s office and ask them if he is on academic probation, and ask for a copy of the letter they sent him that explains the terms of being on probation. It is likely that he needs to have a certain number of credits next semester or next year (the registrar’s office letter will say) with a certain GPA (the registrar’s office will say) to be allowed to stay in that college. (It is not likely that he would be required to take summer classes.)</p>
<p>I am thinking of you and your son - I am so glad that he told you about failing the two classes so you can help figure out the best steps to take next. With FERPA and privacy rules, families can go a long time before parents hear about academic problems.</p>
<p>Brandy, I sent you a PM.</p>
<p>I’m feeling you. Not “failing” here, but my D got a D! This from a kid who essentially got her 1st B ever in her senior high school year! Too much mney to take lightly. Grhhh! Best wishes!</p>
<p>We had a D in college who got grades in college that she NEVER saw in high school. We asked questions, gave hints, offered to pay for tutors, etc. After a while, I told her–“Just graduate in four years, that is all that I ask.” She said she would and did. </p>
<p>Once kids get into college, you can’t really ride herd on them about grades. If they aren’t making academic progress (that is, they are dropping, failing or not completing classes), you can pull the plug. If they can’t keep their scholarships and you can’t afford to make up the difference, you can pull the plug. </p>
<p>My days of asking if homework is done are over.</p>
<p>I am aware of a case where the parents think their student is graduating this spring when student was actually put on probation a year ago and expelled a semester ago… 
FERPA</p>
<p>Didn’t they think it was funny that the school didn’t ask for tuition??</p>
<p>My stepson has failed a class every semester for 3 semesters running. I cringe when I think about how much those failed classes cost.</p>
<p>Sadly, I don’t get a vote on whether he stays in school. My husband really wants him to get a degree.</p>
<p>I keep saying the key is to find out why he is failing- I think it is too much partying and poor time management, but since he is not my child , I can only offer suggestions and hope that my husband lays down the law.</p>
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<p>Doesn’t the school get a vote? I’m surprised that, after three semesters of failing grades, the school hasn’t turned him out.</p>
<p>We have the same situation and what it means for S is that he can’t continue in his major but can switch majors. He will have to take the two credits at some point, either in the summer or extend the four years to 4 1/2. As long as he doesn’t fail any more.</p>
<p>I was on here a year ago as a freshman at the end of the year freaking out because I was going on academic warning because I had dropped a class(after getting really sick) and failed another(organic chemistry). I’m happy to report a year later that in my third semester, I took 5 courses(instead of the normal 4), getting A’s in 4 and a B in the 5th, and got off of academic warning and though my second semester grades are still pending, out of 4 courses I have two confirmed A’s and two up in the air(because when a final exam and final paper are worth over 50% of your total grade combined and you haven’t gotten either back, you just really don’t know), but worst case scenario B’s.</p>
<p>I also have friends and friends of close friends who have had to leave on ‘medical leave’ because they failed all their courses for the semester. (Our university, instead of “suspending” you, just puts you on “medical leave” for a year. It’s technically a forced medical leave, so technically suspension, but the outside world can’t tell if it was voluntary or forced, as some people do do so voluntarily). </p>
<p>There are a LOT of reasons to do poorly(as I’ve experienced first-hand):</p>
<p>1) Not adjusting to the academic demands of college yet.
2) Not adjusting to taking care of your health in college. It’s a lot easier to get sick in college. I’ve missed 5x as much class/have spent 5x as much time in a state of actual really bad sickness in my two years of college than I did in all the years prior to college combined. Heck, I’ve spent more time sick in this semester alone than all the years prior to college combined.
3) Wrong major, wrong courses, etc.
4) Too much partying.</p>
<p>and one to not be underestimated:
5) Depression
I know someone dealing with this one and it’s difficult. </p>
<p>or other misc. reasons. </p>
<p>I had 1, 2, 3, and misc. my freshman year, but as noted above, turned it around my sophomore year. I actually still fail at #2 rather miserably, but can deal with it being the only problem. </p>
<p>Like the others have said, figure out how much each of these are contributing first.</p>
<p>I agree that talking with the student’s academic advisor ASAP is best, to have a good understanding of options. Our D had a great 1st semester but 2nd semester was given 2 "I"s and one D or F. She spoke with the advisor who helped her figure out her options. She ended up finishing the work for one of the Is & ending up with a “B,” in that course and withdrawing from the other course. It worked out for her, but it was challenging.</p>
<p>The advisor has the best understanding of the range of options.</p>
<p>Lots of good advice here and, yes, you need to find out the probation policy at his school. One thing that also should be investigated, and soon, is the possibility of a late withdrawal from the failed courses. Some schools allow for this through a petition policy but usually it must be done within 30 days of the end of term, so check that out ASAP. </p>
<p>Discovering the reason for the failures is important. If he is placed on probation, there will be requirements for the next semester and at some schools if he doesn’t maintain those requirements, he can be suspended for a year before being allowed to return. </p>
<p>Best of luck to you and to him. Although it may be a surprise if he was a good h/s student, it is not uncommon for some kids to fail some college courses. It may be as simple a matter as courses in which he has no interest, or aptitude. If he did fine in his other courses this year, that may be the case, and different choices for next year may correct the problem. One other issue that this may present at some colleges is the registration process for classes for next year. If he doesn’t have the credit standing for entering sophomore year, he may be at a distinct disadvantage in the registration process for classes he wants. It’s possible that taking two summer courses can prevent that problem, so best to look into that earlier rather than later. At many schools, summer registration is well under way.</p>
<p>True, that figuring out the underlying reason for the bad grades is KEY. For our D, itwas a combo of prolonged illness & needing to better pace the workload that made that semester so tough on her. She has made adjustments and things are much improved. Study habits and pacing are really important skills that may not have been needed as much previously that can make a huge difference in college.</p>
<p>">>Sadly, I don’t get a vote on whether he stays in school.<<</p>
<p>Doesn’t the school get a vote? I’m surprised that, after three semesters of failing grades, the school hasn’t turned him out. "</p>
<p>He didn’t fail all of his classes. He has failed or dropped at least one class every semester, but he has passed other classes. His university is not that stellar. With his high school and junior college track record, he did not have a lot of choice on where he went to college. There were only a few who would accept him. Sometimes I think that when the university says “we will work with kids with academic problems” they really mean " we like the money that we make from the out of state kids paying full tuition. "</p>
<p>Frankly, he is not university material. He is going to college because his dad wants him to, and he can party and delay being an adult for a few more years.</p>