Making an Academic Contract for Academic Improvement

If you receive an academic alert, consider downloading the following contract (StudentContract.doc) to bring to the meeting you will have with your advisor or professor.

The contract will allow you to pin-point your academic problem or problems, record suggestions from your professor and decide on a course of action that will help you get back on track.

There are three main reasons why filling out a contract is a good idea:

• Studies show that people who write things down are 90% more likely to do them.
• Even if you have a great memory, it will be tough to remember everything you and your professor discuss. The contract will help you keep track of your conversation and provide you with a record of your chosen course of action.
• The contract will provide a framework for your conversation. It will help both you and your professor stay focused on the problems you are having in the course and will make it more likely you will have thorough conversation.

It is important for the meeting you have with your professor or advisor to be productive. You owe it to yourself to get answers to important questions about your performance in the class. Here are some possible questions for you to ask your professor:

Ask them to work out your current grade and determine how you need to do on future tests or papers. If necessary, be blunt. Ask directly, "Can I still pass the course?"

If the problem is attendance, ask: "How much of my grade is attendance? Where do I stand now?"

If you are missing work, ask: "Will I get full or partial credit for my missed assignments?"

If your professor recommends that you take advantage of a resource on campus, such as tutoring, ask: "How do you think this resource will help me be more successful in this class?"