As assistant dean of the College of Social Sciences, I have the unenviable job of telling students they are on probation, or must sit out for at least a semester, or even that they cannot return to Loyola.
That’s painful, because it is my goal to help students succeed academically.
I listen to their stories, or rather different stories with the same common theme: “I didn’t do well in my classes because…” or “I couldn’t focus on my schoolwork because…” And the punch line is always the same; they want a second chance that I can’t give them unless they have serious medical conditions or extraordinary extenuating circumstances that prevented them from attending classes and doing the required work.
That’s unfortunate, because in the act of trying to juggle studies, work and social life, they could have taken control and simply put school first.
Don’t get me wrong. I am very sympathetic to student problems and issues. My boss tells me that I am too sympathetic. He has a few more years of experience than I do and has probably heard every excuse in the book, so he is a little more skeptical. But we share one thing with each other and with those students telling their stories: we faced the same challenges as freshmen, and we let them get the better of us.
I remember all too well the pressures of being a college student. My first year away from home was one of the most fun and exciting times of my college career. Every night was a party. My roommates and dorm buddies were always tempting me to go out to drink penny pitchers. How could anyone pass up such a deal?
What I didn’t realize at the time was that I was permanently destroying my academic records. Penny pitchers led to failed exams, which led to failed courses.
Was it worth it? Today, for the first time, I added up the expenses that resulted from attending too many penny pitcher nights, instead of going to class and studying for my exams.
I wasted roughly $15,000 my freshman year of college for a less than stellar transcript. That was money that I saved working at a donut shop cooking Kastleburgers and fries for four years during high school. That was money that my father saved by doing extra A/C and heating work to pay for my room and board.
First-year tuition including room and board: $15,000.
Cost of a pitcher of beer at local college bar: One penny.
Trying to explain to your mom and dad that you are on academic probation because you blew off class for penny pitchers: Costly.
The pain of adding up the wasted tuition dollars does not compare to the permanent scar on my first-year records.
Luckily, I have a happy ending. I moved home and went to a community college to improve my grades before I transferred to Loyola to complete my undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Some students would have dropped out, as many of my friends eventually did. Let me give you a few words of advice based on my own experience. Take your academic records seriously. Try to keep in mind that your grades and transcripts will follow you for life. Prospective employers and graduate schools are going to examine your transcripts and records carefully in looking for evidence of your potential.
Try to keep in mind your goal of staying in good academic standing until graduation. Do the very best that you can. Save penny pitcher nights for special occasions when you don’t have an exam, paper or presentation due.
Your adviser, your professors and the staff at Loyola are all here to support you. We are concerned about your progress. We want you to succeed.
If you are having a problem, whether it is academic or personal – get help early. If you identify your problems early on, we can direct you to the resources that you need to be successful. Our campus is full of helpful people and resources that will help you achieve your goals.
Socializing and having fun are part of being a college student. But, make sure that your priorities are straight. Remember that school and studying come first.
Angie Hoffer is an Assistant Dean in the College of Social Sciences and director of the Office of Non-traditional Students.
