Midterm Deficiencies & Handling Academic Difficulties

Midterm Deficiencies

A midterm deficiency indicates that you are doing unsatisfactory work in class.  Faculty may issue midterm deficiencies and this information can be found on WebAdvisor.  Unsatisfactory progress may be viewed as C or D level work.  If you receive a midterm deficiency, it is highly recommended that you schedule a meeting with your professor to discuss your options and follow up with your advisor if needed.  You are responsible for monitoring your own academic progress in each class.

As soon as you begin having difficulty:

Talk to the instructor.  Ask for suggestions about what you can do to be successful in the class, learn about study sessions and explore the availability of tutors. 

Call your academic advisor and set up an appointment to discuss your options.  If you are uncertain who your advisor is, call the College of General Studies at 688-4153 or check under "My Profile" in WebAdvisor.

Find a tutor and/or attend study sessions.  Call 688-4155 or visit the Wintrode Tutoring Program website for information about free tutoring in various courses.  Schedule tutoring appointments online or attend walk-in tutoring sessions. The schedule for walk-in tutoring is available at the Wintrode Student Success Center (SWSC) or on the tutoring program website.  Contact the South Dakota Career Center (688-6668) to help you find a tutor.  The South Dakota Career Center is located in the lower level of Medary Commons (SMC). 

Improve your study skills:

• Enroll in a study skills class.  Mastering Lifetime Learning Skills (GS 143) is a two credit course designed to assist you in adjusting to the academic demands of college by preparing you to be a more effective and efficient learner.  The course covers topics such as reading tough textbooks, improving note taking, memory development, testing strategies, and time management.  This course also fulfills the institutional personal wellness core goal.
• Attend class.
• Form study groups with other students.
• Manage time wisely—work ahead and set aside time each day for studying.
• Keep up with assignments. 
• Get organized.  Buy a calendar and mark the days that assignments are due and the days that exams are scheduled.

If there is no hope of passing, talk with your advisor about your situation and the following strategies

• Drop and/or repeat the course
  • You may retake any course up to 3 times.
  • All grades for all attempts of a course remain on your transcript, but only the most recent grade for a repeated course will be calculated into your Cumulative GPA (CGPA) and in the total hours passed.
• Take time off.  Withdraw from the university for a semester.
  • You will not be able to drop all courses using WebAdvisor as this constitutes a withdrawal.  Report to the Registrar’s Office in Administration (SAD) 310 to meet with the withdrawal coordinator.
  • You will not be dropped from courses simply because you stop attending them.  You must officially withdraw from the University or you will receive failing grades in all your courses.

Failing to address academic difficulties early may result in academic probation and eventually academic suspension.

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College of General Studies
1047 Medary Avenue, Box 511 • South Dakota State University • Brookings, SD 57007
605-688-4153 • Fax: 605-688-5631