Facing academic difficulties? You can find help at your post-secondary institution

Credit to Author: Geneviève Beaupré and Susan Qadeer| Date: Wed, 12 Apr 2023 02:02:12 +0000

Going to university or college involves a commitment of time and effort. In order to learn the material in post-secondary classes, it is expected that you attend all classes, complete assignments and study assigned material. Very few students manage this without challenges.

Let’s look at how your school can help if you have academic difficulties you cannot handle. Keep in mind that there is no common standard for all institutions, but most schools have a variety of services to help students when they struggle with their schoolwork.

Looking for academic help could start in the classroom; your professor may be the person you will see most frequently. During the first class of the semester, the professor usually indicates how, why and when they can be contacted. Most commonly, professors have office hours and you can make an appointment to meet with them. Others may be open to responding to questions sent by email.

Depending on the program and school size, schools may offer services such as free peer tutoring for key subjects. The tutors are usually students who have demonstrated mastery of the subject through previously having taken the course and obtaining good grades. Some classes have teaching assistants who assist the professor and can be approached for extra help. Other free services could include a centre to help with essay writing. Even if someone is quite confident in their writing abilities, students new to the Canadian education system might want to pay a visit to a writing centre to consult on their first few essays prior to submitting them.

If despite your best efforts attending all classes, completing assignments, studying, and consulting with professors or tutors, you still feel you are not getting good results, it may be prudent to make an appointment to discuss your situation with an academic advisor. You may want to reflect and determine if you are well equipped for the courses you are taking. For instance, is your level of mathematics sufficient for the material you are learning? Are your writing skills adequate for essay or report writing? If not, you will need to identify ways to make up for any deficiencies through self-study, additional courses or taking a semester off to catch up.

If you believe that you may have a learning, physical, or mental health-related disability that interferes with doing well, schools are generally prepared to help. They may facilitate a referral or testing to confirm a diagnosis and offer ways to address any functional limitations you might have due to a disability. These are called academic accommodations and they are ways that students with diagnosed disabilities can demonstrate their knowledge with the assistance of extra time on exams, a quiet space, the use of a scribe or other approved accommodations. The expectations and outcomes of the course are the same whether or not you have a disability, but the way in which you complete the work may be modified.

Post-secondary counsellors, academic advisors and peer mentors can help you explore if your study habits and time management skills are optimal and conducive to success. If needed, they can help you learn to study smarter and maximize your time. If, however, you find that your program doesn’t hold any interest for you and concentration is challenging, you could discuss alternate programs. Counsellors are aware of the available academic and career-oriented programs, and together you may find a post-secondary or career direction that will speak to your interests and abilities.

Experiencing academic difficulty should alert you to the need for further assessment. While studying involves hard work, if your efforts aren’t paying off, seek help before considering any other action. Many students need information, direction and time before they find their way.

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