Academic Success Packet

Road to Success

The purpose of the CBA Road to Success packet is to provide you with information and strategies to help you achieve your academic goals whether they are to maximize your opportunities, learn about UNL resources, or to improve your grade point average (GPA).

If your cumulative grade point average is below a 2.5 you are strongly encouraged to set up an appointment to meet with one of our professional academic advisers in the College of Business Administration. A professional academic adviser can help you design a plan to raise your grade point average.

You may schedule an appointment with a professional academic adviser by contacting the Undergraduate Programs.

• Academic Success Packet

Academic Standards

College of Business Administration Academic Standards

A 2.5 cumulative grade point average is required to apply for graduation, as well as a requirement for enrollment in most all business classes. At a minimum, students should consider a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average as a general guideline to continue taking courses in the college.

University Academic Standards

In May 1987, the following policy on academic standards was implemented:

Probation

A student who receives a semester grade point average* of less than a 2.0, OR ends a semester with a cumulative GPA of less than a 2.0 will be placed (or will continue) on probation. The student will continue on probation until a semester is completed with BOTH a semester and cumulative GPA at or above 2.0 or until the student is dismissed.

Dismissal

A student will be dismissed from the University at the end of any semester** in which the following exist:

1 - 18 attempted credit hours.

The student has attended more than one semester and has a cumulative grade point average below 1.0***

19 - 45 attempted credit hours.

Both the current semester and the cumulative grade point average are below 1.75, and at the end of the semester preceding the current semester, the cumulative GPA was below 2.0, OR three consecutive semesters on probation.

46 and above attempted credit hours

Both the current semester and the cumulative grade point average are below 2.0, and at the end of the semester immediately preceding the current semester, the cumulative grade point average was below 2.0, OR three consecutive semesters on probation

Returning Students

Students in Good Standing or on Probation

Students who leave the University (for three or more consecutive semesters; summer counts as one semester) in good standing or on probation may apply for admission by completing a Returning Student Application and returning it to the Office of Admissions, Van Brundt Visitors Center, 313 N 13th Street (0417), 472-2023. If students have attended other postsecondary institutions since leaving UNL, official transcripts are required to determine admissibility. Students must apply for readmission and furnish all supporting materials for the First Semester by June 30. For the Second Semester, the deadline for all admissions materials is December 15. The application deadline for each summer session is five business days prior to the first day of classes for the session.

Dismissed Students

Readmission to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is not automatic for students who have been academically dismissed or who failed to clear all admissions deficiencies prior to leaving the university. Following a mandatory period of two consecutive semesters of non-enrollment (summer sessions, collectively, count as one semester), students must complete an Application for Admission and the Returning Student Questionnaire. Students who failed to complete all admissions deficiencies before leaving must present a transcript showing sufficient course work to be fully admitted to the University. Returning Student Questionnaires are available from the Office of Admissions, Van Brundt Visitors Center, 313 N 13th Street (0417), 472-2023. The deadline to furnish all admission materials to the Admissions Office for the First Semester is June 30. For the Second Semester, the deadline for submitting admission materials is December 15. The application deadline for each summer session is five business days prior to the first day of classes for the session. Factors that will help support the student's case for returning include:

• Proven academic performance since he or she was dismissed (e.g., independent study correspondence courses, academic credits earned at another post-secondary institution);
• Work experience that he or she believes has contributed to their development; or
• Other appropriate experiences that he or she believes have helped prepare them to resume their studies and achieve academic success.

For more information about readmission to the University, refer to the subject heading "Academic Standards" in the current Undergraduate Bulletin.

Grade Point Average

Online Grade Point Average Calculator

You can calculate your GPA by using the Online GPA Calculator

Grade Point Average

Semester and cumulative grade point averages are computed in the following manner each semester. Multiply quality points by the number of credit hours for each class, add the total number of grade points, and divide by the number of credit hours.

Letter Grade	Quality Points		Credit Hours		Total Quality Points
		Total:	20		36
A	4	x	5	=	20
B	3	x	3	=	9
C	2	x	3	=	6
D	1	x	1	=	1
F	0	x	1	=	0
P	0*		1*
N	0*		1*
I	0*		1*
W	0*		1*
NR	0*		3*

Example - 36 quality points divided by 13 hours averaged = 2.769 Grade Point Average.

* Grades of "P", "N", "I", "W", and "NR" are not used in computing grade point averages.

Grade System

From 1971 through the 2001 Summer Term the grading system consisted of letter grades with plus notation mid-points. Beginning with the First Semester of the 2001-2002 Academic Year the grading system was changed to letter grades with both plus and minus notations. (Exception: Law College retained the plus only system).

Quality Points Assigned per Credit Hour

Grade	1972 - 2001	2001 - Current
A+	4.00	4.00
A	4.00	4.00
A-	--	3.67
B+	3.50	3.33
B	3.00	3.00
B-	--	2.67
C+	2.50	2.33
C	2.00	2.00
C-	--	1.67
D+	1.50	1.33
D	1.00	1.00
D-	--	0.67
F	0.00	0.00

No credit is awarded for a failing grade. All failures become part of the student's academic record. If a faculty member discovers an error in submitting a failing grade, only that faculty member has the authority to correct the error. A Change of Student Record Form must be obtained from the department in which the course was offered. This form is to be completed indicating the desired change with the "Clerical Error" box checked, signed by the instructor of record, and sent to Registration and Records, 107 Canfield Administration Building (0416), (402) 472-3681.

Grading Symbols which carry no quality points:

I	Incomplete
N	No Pass (for pass/no pass course)
NR	No Report (no grade submitted)
P	Pass (for pass/no pass course)
W	Withdrew from course

There is no University numerical grading scale (i.e., percentage scores do not automatically translate into a prescribed grade). There is, however, a University grading policy. The Bylaws offer the following with respect to academic evaluations:

Students shall be informed of the requirements, standards, objectives, and evaluation procedures at the beginning of each individual course.

The Academic Senate recommends that the grading policy for a course be stated in written form whenever possible and that the statement make clear any policy concerning the "Pass/No Pass" option and the procedures concerning "Incompletes". Failure to inform students of special restrictions may be grounds for a grading appeals case.

Grades of Incomplete

The Academic Senate has adopted the following policy effective First Semester, 1980-81, for undergraduate courses:

The grade of "I" is to be used by an instructor at the end of a term to designate incomplete work in a course. It should be used only when a student, due to illness, military service, hardship, or death in the immediate family, is unable to complete the requirements of the course in the term in which he or she is registered for credit. Incompletes should be given only if the student has already substantially completed the major requirements of the course. There is no uniform interpretation of what constitutes a substantial majority of the course. Faculty should, however, explain to students at the beginning of the course how they or their department interprets "substantially completed the major requirements of the course".

For the undergraduate courses, the instructor should complete an I-Form giving the following information when assigning an "I" grade:

• Conditions to be met in order to complete the course.
• Date course is to be completed which shall be no more than two years hence.
• Grade on work completed and percent of course work it represents.
• Grade to be assigned if "I" is not removed by date specified by the instructor.

This form is signed by the instructor and by the student, except when extenuating circumstances make it impossible. One copy of the I-Form will be kept by the instructor, one given or sent to the student, one placed in the departmental files, and the original (white) copy is to be returned to Registration and Records, 107 Canfield Administration Building (0416), 472-3681, with the Final Grade Roster. This I-Form will be retained by the Registration and Records. Academic departments are responsible for following up on the time completion deadline identified on the I-Form and for initiating the Change of Student Record Form to remove the "I" grade. However, if a grade change form is not received by Registration and Records by the date indicated in Item #7 of the I-Form, Registration and Records will assign the grade indicated in Item #8.

I-Forms are available to faculty members at their departmental offices.

For graduate courses taken for graduate credit, the conditions as stated in the Graduate Bulletin shall apply.

• If an instructor leaves the University prior to the date on an I-Form for completion of a course, then the I-Form shall be used by the student and the academic department to allow the student to complete the course.
• The "I" is assigned at the discretion of the instructor in consultation with the student and following the Academic Senate guidelines.
• The "I" grade cannot be changed to a "W" grade.

Pass/No Pass

The Pass/No Pass option is designed to be used by a graduate or undergraduate student seeking to expand his or her intellectual horizons by taking courses in areas in which the student has minimum preparation without adversely affecting the student's grade point average.

• Neither "P" nor "N" grades contribute to a student's GPA.
• "P" is interpreted to mean "C" or above.
• A change to or from a Pass/No Pass registration may be made until midterm of the course.
• The Pass/No Pass or grade registration cannot conflict with the policy of the professor, department, college, or University governing grading options.
• Changing to or from Pass/No Pass requires processing the change on eNRoll , the web-based registration system, NRoll, the telephone registration system, or filing a Drop/Add Form with Registration and Records, 107 Canfield Administration Building (0416), 472-3635, and does not require the instructor's approval.
• After midterm of the course, a student registered for Pass/No Pass cannot change to a grade registration unless the Pass/No Pass registration is in conflict with the policy of the professor, college, or University governing Pass/No Pass.
• The Pass/No Pass grading option is not available to students on academic probation unless the course is offered only on a Pass/No Pass basis.
• For undergraduates, the 24 credit hour limit and college and department limits shall apply. These limits do not include courses offered only on a Pass/No Pass basis.
• The Pass/No Pass grading option CANNOT be used in a repeated course to remove a "C-", "D+", "D", "D-", or "F" grade from the grade point average.

Grade Repeat Policy

The Academic Senate has approved the following policy in regard to removal of repeated course grade factors:

The grade to be removed from computation of the cumulative grade point average must have been received since September, 1965, when the letter grade system became effective. Only the most recent grade received in a given course will be used in computing a student's cumulative grade point average if the student completed the course twice and previously received a grade below "C" in that course.

Effective the Second Semester, 1987-88, the following was added to the policy:

The Pass/No Pass grading option CANNOT be used in a repeated course to remove grade factors from the grade point average.

Automatic Removal of Grade Factors from the Cumulative GPA for Repeated Courses

Effective the Second Semester, 1988-89, Registration and Records implemented the computerized removal of grade factors for undergraduate courses repeated during the current semester. Courses graded "A+" to "F" for the current semester are checked against all courses taken since the installation of the current computerized records system (September, 1986), and grade factors are subtracted for repeated courses which were graded "C-", "D+", "D", "D-", or "F". The final grade report will reflect the automatic grade removal in the To-Date line with the following exceptions.

Exceptions to the Automatic Grade Factors Removal Processing

Mini-courses taken during the same semester; Geology 107; independent study courses; special topic courses; and correspondence courses will not be processed automatically. These courses will be identified to Registration and Records to check the removal status manually. Any of these courses that qualify for removal will be processed manually by Registration and Records. The student will be notified of the changes by a Student Grade Change Notification Letter.

Students must complete a Grade Removal Form, available at Registration and Records, 107 Canfield Administration Building (0416), 472-3681, for the following situations:

• Courses repeated prior to the First Semester, 1986-87
• UNO or UNK course equivalents
• Late adds, registrations, grades, or grade changes
• Cross-listed courses (i.e., MNGT 331 - ECON 331)

Requests for removal for these exception-type situations must be submitted to Registration and Records, 107 Canfield Administration Building (0416), 472-3681, within the seven-day revision period following the issuance of grade reports and prior to the final posting of grades (grade census date) to meet the deadline for a Student Grade Change Notification Letter. Grade factor removals processed during the revision period will be reflected in the official (census date) semester grade point average. Students not meeting the deadline will be notified of the change approximately two weeks after the request is received with a Student Grade Change Notification Letter. Late changes will not be reflected in the official (census date) semester grade point average.

The following points are also important in the consideration of grade factor removal:

• After removal of a "C-", "D+", "D", "D-", or "F" grade, the first grade (or grades) will not be used in computation of the cumulative grade point average, but it will remain a part of the academic record and will appear on any transcript.
• Students can remove from their cumulative grade point average a course grade of "C-", "D+", "D", "D-", or "F" if they repeat the equivalent course at the University of Nebraska (UNL, UNMC, UNO, or UNK) and receive a grade other than "I", "N", "P", or "W". This means that substitutions are limited to "A", "B", "C", "D", and "F" (+ and - grades are included). To determine which UNO or UNK courses have been identified by the UNL academic departments as "equivalent", contact Registration and Records, 107 Canfield Administration Building (0416), 472-3681.
• All grades earned during a semester will be used in computing the grade point average for that semester. (Exception--grades of "I", "N", "P, and "W" are not used in computing the student's GPA.)
• If the student repeated the course on the UNMC, UNO, or UNK campus, the student must request the campus to issue an official transcript to Registration and Records, 107 Canfield Administration Building (0416), 472-3763, before re-computation can occur.
• Repeated hours can be used only once toward a degree.
• The grade removal policy can be applied only by repeating the same course and for the same or more credit hours. No course substitutions are allowed.
• If the course is no longer offered in any form, you cannot apply the grade removal option.

Help Yourself Academically

Factors that can contribute to Academic difficulty

A realistic assessment of the contributing factors that resulted in unsuccessful academic performance will be an important part of your efforts to improve your work in future semesters. It will be unlikely that you will be able to remedy difficulties and distractions unless you know exactly the nature of those distractions.

Generally, there are 5 main causes of academic difficulty:

Motivational Difficulties

Motivational difficulties can include difficulty adapting to and feeling a sense of belonging in a competitive academic environment.

Adjustment to College Life

Balancing study with the new freedoms and responsibilities of adult living can be a difficult challenge. For some, it will take practice to develop the personal discipline required to stay focused at a large institution with so many opportunities.

Study Skills

Students arrive at UNL with many levels of academic preparation. For some, the transition to UNL is seamless, for others, a real struggle. Weaknesses in academic preparation and an inability to organize study time can contribute to unsatisfactory academic performance.

Directions/Goals

Some students report having difficulty directing toward a course of study and or finding a subject matter that "fits" with their interests and abilities.

Personal Issues

At times and perhaps unexpectedly, personal issues can affect academic performance. For example, issues involving health, personal relationships, finances and family responsibilities may overwhelm a student's ability to perform well in classes.

How to Help Yourself Academically

• Attend every class and arrive on time;
• Sit up front;
• Be prepared for class by doing the homework and actively engaging with the material;
• Keep up with the required reading or, better yet, read ahead, so you're familiar with the concepts and subjects before they're discussed in class;
• Write up a summary of each chapter after reading and brainstorm in writing potential test questions from the chapter;
• Participate in class: take good notes; ask questions to clarify and push discussion further; make comments when you think of things to add to discussion;
• Select the best possible writing materials for note taking: sharp pen or pencil, eraser, your favorite line or unlined paper;
• Write up or rewrite lecture notes immediately after class or as soon after class as you can;
• Reread your class notes before the next class to make sure you don't have any outstanding questions you need to bring up;
• Reread your syllabus regularly to make sure you are on track;
• Save syllabus, handouts, and notes all together, in a logical order, in one notebook;
• Make a contact or two in the class so you can phone or email classmates for notes and assignments if you must miss a class;
• Go to instructor's/professor's/TA's office hours as often as you can and be prepared with questions to ask;
• Use residence hall tutoring;
• Attend any special study sessions organized by the professor, TA or department;
• Use any and all other support services available (residence hall programs, tutoring);
• Form your own study group from students in the class.

Tips for a Successful Semester

• Know the specific deadlines, policies, and procedures of the college and university and plan out your semester accordingly.
• Prioritize and organize your study and personal time into daily and weekly patterns of effectiveness. Maintain regular study hours and establish study environments in order to be productive throughout the entire semester.
• Develop timelines and keep semester, monthly and weekly calendars for dates when course assignments are due. Plan and prepare for exams and papers in advance.
• Go to office hours, ask questions, and talk with instructors to make the course material more alive.
• Anticipate, preview and review continuously in your courses. When you get exams and papers back discuss them thoroughly with your instructor or TA. Studying for final examinations begins now!
• Develop a network of resources. Make a list of phone numbers and email addresses of your faculty, TA's, advisers, tutors and at least 1 other student from each class.
• Communicate, collaborate and correspond with your family and friends as well as your campus support network.
• Bookmark the UNL website and explore the web sites of campus organizations that may be able to help you achieve your academic goals.

Preparing for a Test

• Develop a study plan which allows plenty of time for reviewing all material.
• Organize material so that the most important material will be given the greatest amount of time.
• If you have any questions, check with either the instructor or an associate instructor. Their job is to help you learn.
• Keep a steady rather than a crash pace. Rushing, either while studying or while taking a test, will work against you.
• Study with another person or with a small group but rule out doing so with people who raise your anxiety level and/or aren't serious about working.
• Take a 10 minute break approximately once an hour. Move away from the physical location where you are studying.
• Adopt a "sportsman's attitude" - "win if you can, lose if you must, but do the best you can."
• Plan a reward for yourself after the test no matter how well you feel you did.
• Eat right. Get enough sleep. Build in time for relaxation.

The Day before the Test

• Review major concepts. Attempting to crash learn new material may interfere with your recall of material you have already learned.
• If you feel tense or anxious, take some time for physical exercise. Swimming or jogging may be the most useful way to "burn off" some excess energy.
• If you completed your study plan, go to a movie or watch some "light" television. This form of mental relaxation will not interfere with your performance.
• Get a good night's sleep. The better rested you are, the more likely you will be to perform at your maximum.
• Again, remind yourself of a "sportsman's attitude" - "win if you can, lose if you must, but do the best you can."
• Avoid any friends who you know from the past to be "anxiety generators."

The Day on the Test

• Engage in relaxed "non-thinking" activity the hour before the exam.
• Get to the test on time.
• When the exam is distributed, take time to read the directions twice.

Hints for Particular Types of Test Questions

• On multiple choice items, read all options first. Eliminate the obviously wrong alternatives first. Choose the "better" or "best" of the remaining alternatives.
• On short answer and essay tests, do exactly what is asked. " overkill " is usually a waste of time and annoying to the person who grades the paper.
• On long essay questions, begin with an outline of your answer. Make sure all the important points in your outline are included in your response.
• On "True-False" items, check for tricky words such as "only," "always," "most," etc.

After Test

• Don't hash over what you might have done or mistakes you might have made.
• Follow through on the reward you have promised yourself.
• Regardless of what grade you received, review the test carefully.
• If you don't understand your grade or the grader's comments, make an appointment to discuss them.
• Evaluate your study program. Consider ways you might want to alter it for the future.

Tutoring Information

Astronomy 103

All tutoring sessions are free and meet in Ferguson Hall Room 216A

Mondays	11:30 am - 3:00 pm
Tuesdays	9:00 am - 1:30 pm
Wednesdays	11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Thursday	9:00 am - 1:30 pm
Fridays	1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Chemistry Dept. Freshman Resource Room

228 Hamilton Hall, 472-3514
Provides free walk-in assistance with class assignments and test preparation. Has files of old tests for 105, 109, 110, 111, 113, and 114.

Computer Science and Engineering Resource Center

Avery Hall 13A
Provides walk-in assistance for students in 100 and 200-level computer science and computer engineering courses.

Department of English Writing Lab

129 Andrews Hall, 472-8803
Provides free individualized help with writing processes - developing ideas, drafting, documenting sources, revising and editing, depending on students' needs and purposes. Not a proofreading service.

Math Resource Center

106 Burnett Hall, 472-4319
Staffed by Teaching Assistants and advanced undergraduates, the Center provides free walk-in assistance for Math 100A, 101, 102, 103, 104, 106, 107.

Spanish Tutoring Center

Food Court D, City Union
Provides walk-in assistance for students in Spanish courses.

Supplemental Instruction - for students enrolled in courses that offer SI tutoring

33 Canfield, 472-6936
Twice-weekly informal study sessions facilitated by students who have previously received an A in the course. Courses include: Biology 101; Chemistry 109; Geography 155; History 100; Political Science 100; Psychology 181; Sociology 101.

Services for Students with Disabilities

132 Canfield, 472-3787
Provides support for students with disabilities including: taped texts, note takers, testing accommodation

E.J. Faulkner Writing Lab

35 & 36 CBA, 472-0733
Provides writing, presentation and computer instruction to student in pre-selected CBA courses.

Office of Academic Support & Intercultural Services (O.A.S.I.S.

333 N 14, 472-5500
Tutoring, academic, career and personal counseling

Time Management

Study When:

• Plan two study hours for every hour you spend in class.
• Study difficult (or boring) subjects first.
• Avoid scheduling marathon study sessions.
• Be aware of your best time of day.
• Use waiting time.
• Use a regular study area.

Study Where:

• Choose a place that minimizes visual and auditory distractions.
• Use the library or empty classrooms. Get out of a noisy dorm.
• Don't get too comfortable. Sit (or even stand) so that you can remain awake and attentive.
• Find a better place when productivity falls off.

You and the Outside World:

• Pay attention to your attention.
• Agree with roommates about study time.
• Avoid noise distractions.
• Notice how others misuse your time.
• Get off the phone.
• Learn to say no.
• Hang a "Do Not Disturb!" sign on your door.

Websites on Time Management

• Managing Your Time - Dartmouth

Counseling and Psychological Servicies

The CAPS staff provides individual, group and relationship counseling. Walk-in and after hours assistance is available for students with urgent concerns. In addition, staff psychiatrists can prescribe medications if needed. We also offer special workshops and support groups that help students relax, gain assertiveness skills, manage the demands of school and children, improve body image, complete theses and dissertations, manage anger, and handle other issues of concern.

CAPS offers psychological counseling and educational services for:

• anxiety and depression
• managing life skills
• relationship difficulties
• eating disorders
• sexuality concerns
• communication skills
• homesickness
• time management
• diversity concerns
• other personal concerns

The first three counseling visits are at no charge for any student during their enrollment at NU. Charges begin with the fourth visit and are based on an hourly rate. There is a charge for all visits with a psychiatrist. Remember, most of our services are offered at rates below community rates. Insurance may cover your counseling visit depending upon your insurance plan.

Career Services

If you are not sure about what your interests are or what you want to major in, you need to visit the Career Services office.

The Career Services office provides a variety of services to students such as:

• Individual career counseling sessions
• Interest and skills assessments
• Career planning checklists
• Resume & cover letter development
• Assistance finding jobs & internships
• Career Fairs

Websites on Careers

• Career Services
• Explore Academic Majors and Careers
• Major to Career Converter
• Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Careers in Business