Disaster Recovery

Unfortunately, our global village has experienced a number of disasters this year. The causes of some are completely beyond human control, such as the earthquake in Haiti. The causes of others are completely within human control, such as the oil spill in the gulf. But in either case, our response to disaster is our responsibility.

The same can be side of an academic "disaster" you might experience. Maybe you are failing a course because you were too busy to bother with homework. Or maybe you are failing a course because you were struck with illness during the semester. In both cases, recovery is your responsibility.

So, what to do when the worst happens in your academic life?

1. Consult with your instructor. If you know, beyond a doubt, that you will not be able to pass a course, it is better to withdraw from a course than to fail a course. Pay attention to deadlines, use withdrawals sparingly, and be aware that you may face consequences with financial aid.

2. Check your financial aid status. Your financial aid may be in suspension as a result of your poor academic performance. Start working on a financial aid appeal as soon as possible. Gather any documentation you can: medical bills, a letter from your employer, et cetera.

3. Learn from the situation. If the "disaster" was your own making, what can you do differently next semester to change the situation? You only get so many chances and only have so much time, after all.