The Advising Center

At the Advising Center concerned parents contact us about their freshman son's or daughter's academic situation. It's best to talk directly with your student and encourage him/her to seek advising help. We receive panicked calls and emails for help from the students themselves, who are confused and need clarification about what their being on probation status means and how it impacts them.

Parents and students who need clarification on our policy and how to avoid disqualification should click here.

For a helpful article on "15 Ways to Improve Your GPA," click here.

Sonoma's policy states: No student shall be disqualified from attendance on the basis of a single semester of work. That is, students shall be placed on probation for a semester to allow them time to improve their grades. Probation is a warning, a caution to inform students that they are in academic risk. If students on probation continue with their academic pattern, they will eventually be disqualified and not be reinstated for at least one semester. More information on our probation policy can be found here.

Emotional Consequences

Many students clearly don't understand the seriousness of their probationary status, and those who do understand often feel overwhelmed and paralyzed with panic. Most students don't know how to remedy the situation. They feel disappointed in themselves and carry the burden of disappointing their parents as well. They begin to doubt their abilities.

Transition Troubles

The majority of students on probation are highly capable students. It's not the lack of intellectual ability that creates their probationary status, it's more often lack of judgment, motivation, applied study habits and/or time management skills that contribute to their situation. Students who performed well in high school may miscalculate the amount of effort necessary to meet the expectations of university work. The social-cultural transition from high school to university life is not always smooth. Organizing and negotiating even the most basic living skills can be problematic; having clean laundry, eating meals and sleeping without precluding class attendance takes planning.

Many at Sonoma have enjoyed the benefit of parents who cared well for them and shared in navigating their K-12 educational experience, and being placed on probation indicates to these students that they have somehow failed, missed the academic mark. We know they are experiencing the full consequence of being on their own for the first time and making decisions in both their academic and social life.

Students struggle tremendously with the reality and results of their academic efforts; using guilt or threats to help them is useless. See "Tips for Getting Off Academic Probation" for my suggestions to students.

Commitment

In the final analysis, students must make a personal and active commitment to have their academic probation status removed by regaining clear academic standing with improved grades. Hopefully as a parent you can support your son or daughter by accepting their current academic situation without prolonged recrimination. Parents need to ask their sons and daughters how they intend to clear the probation. Communicate your expectations and consequences if those expectations are not met.

For example, a student may plan to retake two failed courses from the fall during the spring semester. If the courses are passed and probation is removed, the student may negotiate with her/his parent that s/he can still take a summer road trip with friends.

However, if the student fails one or both of the courses again, the student may clearly be expected to enroll in summer school to make up the loss of units and the summer plans become void.

Parents know their children well, but as they are transitioning into young adulthood, the parent/child relationships often become more complex. Your son or daughter still needs your guidance.

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Tips For Getting Off Academic Probation

"Once the implications of probation are fully comprehended, most students find it quite sobering."

Meet with an academic adviser to strategies for a more successful spring semester.

Retake failed course(s) immediately with another instructor; this allows students to substitute their first attempt grade(s) with their second attempt grade(s.)

Project this semester's GPA and analyze what efforts will be required to attain those grades.

Develop a long-term academic plan, one that includes Summer school to replace the loss of units due to failed courses.

Use the Tutorial Services, Writing Center, and informal student study groups.

Meet with the specific faculty in each course to review the syllabus, course expectations, and assignment time-line. Ask for clarifications from the faculty in any area of the course that is problematic.

Enroll in a general study skills course or a specific one for Math, Reading or Writing Skills. These courses are elective and help create a good foundation, influencing how students will approach their other courses successfully.

Use Counseling and Psychological services. There are short individual and group support sessions for your psychosocial health.