College isn't like high school. Yes, both involve taking classes, studying, writing papers, and taking exams. College courses are way more challenging than high school courses, though. Professors are far more demanding than even your strictest high school teachers were. The biggest difference, though? You weren't trying to learn how to be an adult while you were in high school.
It's not easy trying to balance all the demands you face as a college student. It's no surprise that students sometimes struggle to keep their grades up. A bad grade or two doesn't have to turn into a full-blown crisis, though. There are ways to protect yourself from academic sanctions and to recover from a bad course or even a bad semester.
The Lento Law Firm is dedicated to helping students succeed in college. How do we do that? We know how to navigate the University of Nebraska system. We know who to talk to when you run into problems, we know what to say, and we know how to say it. Best of all, we know all the tips and tricks for keeping your GPA up.
If your grades have taken a nosedive for any reason, contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686, or use our automated online form, and see what we can do to get you back on track.
Academic Progression at the University of Nebraska
College success isn't easy, but it is relatively straightforward. Your job is to do the very best you can in every class and to keep your grade point average high enough to meet your school's Academic Standing requirements. At the University of Nebraska, you need a 2.0 cumulative and term GPA to remain in good standing. Anything below those numbers, and you're subject to a progressive series of academic sanctions.
- Academic Probation I: If either of your grade point averages should fall below 2.0, you're initially placed on Academic Probation I. As part of probation, you're required to complete an online self-assessment, to meet with your advisor, and come up with a plan for improvement. You return to Good status at the point when you raise both your cumulative and term GPAs back above 2.0.
- Academic Probation II: If you fail to return to Good standing by the end of your first probationary semester, you're then placed on Academic Probation II. The same terms apply. You must meet with your advisor, and your primary goal is to return to Good standing.
- Academic Dismissal: Finally, if you cannot raise your cumulative and term GPAs above the 2.0 number by the end of a second semester on probation, you are then subject to dismissal from the university.
Dismissal lasts for a minimum of one full academic year. You can then apply for readmission to the university. However, readmission is not automatic. You must be able to demonstrate with concrete evidence that you are prepared to resume your studies and that you have a plan in place for success.
Dealing With Academic Standing Decisions
If you're facing dismissal, the University of Nebraska offers an appeals process for immediate reinstatement if you can show that your academic deficiencies are the result of “extraordinary circumstances.” If you've suffered a serious illness, faced a family crisis, or dealt with some other personal situation, the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm can work with you to gather evidence and file the appropriate paperwork. We know exactly what's involved in these appeals, and we're experienced at making students look their best on paper.
We know a number of other strategies for responding to academic sanctions as well. For example,
- If you suffer from a learning disability, you could be entitled to accommodations in many of your classes. If you should discover you have a disability you didn't know about previously, you can petition UNL to drop low grades from your transcript and allow you to retake those courses without penalty.
- If you've received a low grade as the result of an academic misconduct allegation, you have the right to challenge your instructor's accusation and the sanction they've applied through the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards.
- One of the easiest ways to raise a low grade is to ask your instructor for makeup or extra credit work. An extra lab assignment or a paper rewrite can often be enough to pull your grade up and salvage your GPA.
- You deserve fair treatment in the classroom. Any time you feel an instructor is mistreating you, you should report that to the instructor's department head. You may be entitled to a grade revision.
No matter what your particular situation may be, the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm can work with you to come up with a plan for addressing it. In addition, we'll work with you to implement that plan, whether that means helping you draft documents, working with you to collect evidence, or coaching you on how to negotiate with a professor.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Do For You?
Students ask all the time: How is an attorney supposed to help me make it through college? It's a fair question. After all, it's not like you're on trial for shoplifting. You need help with your grades. That's normally a matter of keeping up with your reading, visiting the writing center, and getting assignments in on time.
The thing is, though, succeeding in college is often as much about navigating bureaucracy as it is about writing papers and taking exams. No one knows more about dealing with bureaucracy than attorneys, and no one knows more about dealing with educational bureaucracy than the Education Law Team at the Lento Law Firm. That team was assembled specifically to handle student conduct and academic progress issues.
The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm are on your side. We understand that no one is perfect, and we're committed to the idea that a few mistakes shouldn't keep you from earning your degree and going on to a successful career. We'll fight to make sure you're treated fairly and that you get all the rights you deserve. You've worked hard to get to this point. Don't let that hard work go to waste. To find out more about how you can fight dismissal, contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 or use our automated online form.
