Are you falling behind in your classes or having a hard time grasping the material? It can be hard to get used to the pace and amount of work required in a college class. If you are struggling, there are people and resources on campus to help you.
Go see your professors during office hours
Did you know all professors are required to hold office hours? This is a time when professors are in their offices and available to meet with students. During office hours, you can ask your professor about a specific assignment or a section of the material you don’t understand.
Reach out to your professor or check the course syllabus to find out when you can stop by.
Connect with a tutor or writing coach
There are tutors on campus for every academic area. Some tutoring services are free, and some are paid. The Academic Success and Achievement Program (ASAP) offers free tutoring to students living in the residence halls, Bear Creek and first-year commuter students. Trained peer tutors meet with small groups every week to go over course content, along with setting goals and staying on track.
If you do not live on campus, check with your instructor to learn more about tutoring services in their department. Many departments offer some form of tutoring or help rooms.
You may also want to check out The Writing Center, where writing consultants are available to coach you through your writing from start to finish. This service is free for all CU students.
Join a study group
Two brains are better than one. Going over course material with your classmates can help you understand in a different way. Consider joining a study group and try some new study strategies as a team.
To find a study group, talk to your professor or TA to find out if study groups are already meeting for the course, or take the initiative in setting one up. If you want to start a study group, ask your professor if you can announce it during class or post it on your online course discussion board.
If you’re thinking about withdrawing from a course
If you’re thinking about withdrawing from a course, talk with your advisor as soon as possible. Withdrawing from a course at this point in the semester has significant consequences, so make sure you talk with your advisor before taking action to withdraw.
The last day to drop a class is Nov. 1 at 11:59 p.m. See the Office of the Registrar’s Drop a Class website for more information.
