Grade Support

To track academic progress and help our students to be successful, Nazareth University collects midterm grades for all undergraduate students. These midterm grades are submitted by your faculty, and can be submitted as traditional letter grades (A, A-, B+, etc.) or as satisfactory/unsatisfactory grades (S, U). While these grades do not impact your GPA, your midterm grade report can be a helpful wake-up call if you are struggling in your courses.

If you received a midterm grade warning and you find yourself struggling, it is important to identify what factors may be impacting your academic success!

What factors may have an impact on my academic success?

Communication with your faculty

There is a good chance that one reason you decided to attend Nazareth University was because of our small class size and strong faculty-student relationships. Take advantage of this strength of our community, and speak with your professors on a regular basis.

If you are struggling this semester:

  • Set up a time to meet with your instructor, or use the instructor’s office hours (published on the syllabus).
  • Go to the meeting prepared with questions to ask your instructor. You can ask about the instructor’s expectations, how you can get back on track, and specific questions about the course content.
  • Take responsibility for your actions. For instance, if you have missed a number of classes, do not make excuses for this, but let your instructor know you have learned from this experience.
  • Whether your instructor recommends that you need to meet on a regular basis, complete additional coursework, seek extra help, or drop the course, make sure you follow through.

During future semesters:

  • Be proactive. Don’t wait for problems. Speak with your instructor right away if you have questions or concerns.
  • Make sure to attend class, complete assignments on time, and study for exams.
Communication with your advisor

If you are concerned about your academic performance, your academic advisor can be a valuable resource to help you get back on track.

If you are struggling this semester:

  • Set up a time to meet with your advisor.
  • Go to the meeting prepared with questions you would like to ask your advisor. You can ask about University policies, how you can get back on track, or what resources are available to you.
  • If there are circumstances that have had an impact on your academic performance, be sure to inform your advisor.
  • An advisor can help you evaluate academic requirements and policies related to the course(s) in which you are struggling.
  • Advisors are great resource for learning about academic support service options.
  • If you are considering dropping a course, your advisor can walk you through options that may be available to you, as well as any consequences to those options.

During future semesters:

  • Be proactive! Don’t wait for there to be problems. Speak with your advisor right away if you have any questions or concerns.
Use of Learning Support

Nazareth University offers a variety of learning support options to our students. It is important to use these resources as soon as you have any questions or concerns about course content or study skills. If you are struggling, now is the time to get the help you need.

Some learning support options include:

  • Peer Tutoring through the Student Success office
  • Tutoring Centers (Math Center, Logic Lab, Writing Center, Emerson Language Lab)
  • Academic Success Coaching 1:1 Meetings (exploring and establishing study skills, time management, test-taking, etc.)
  • ACS 200: Advanced Academic Strategies
  • Faculty Office Hours

For information about these and other learning support options, visit the Student Success website.

If you have questions regarding support for students with disabilities, visit the Student Accessibility Services website.

Campus Connections

Getting involved while in college is an important part of “the college experience.” Campus involvement can help you feel more connected, meet new people, have fun and memorable experiences, and gain leadership and other transferable skills. Whether you are seeking ways to get involved or trying to balance commitments you have already made to campus activities (clubs, athletics, leadership positions, etc.), it is important to know what resources and staff members are available to help you.

For information about how to get involved with the Undergraduate Association and clubs on campus, visit the Student Engagement and Leadership website.

For information about how to get involved with athletics, visit the Athletics website.

For information about how to get involved within your residence hall, visit the Residential Life website.

*If you are already involved with any of these departments and you have questions about balancing your involvement with your academics, make sure to speak with a staff member within the department.

Health and Counseling

As stated by educator Ernest Boyer, “Wellness is a prerequisite to all else. Students cannot be intellectually proficient if they are physically or psychologically unwell.” Because the body and mind are so intricately connected, physical ailments can impact our mental health and emotional struggles can impact our physical health. The Student Wellness Center staff, comprised of both Health Services and Counseling Services, strives to understand the complex mind-body connection and to provide you with the most comprehensive, holistic care possible.

For information about improving your physical or psychological health so you can focus more on your academics, visit the Health & Counseling website. Nazareth's Center for Spirituality can also help.

Living Arrangements

Whether you live on or off campus, if you have concerns about the impact your living arrangements are having on your academic success, it is important to address these concerns with our staff as soon as possible.

For information about living on campus, visit the Residential Life website.

For information about commuting to Naz, visit the Commuting 101 website.

Outside Commitments

Work, friends, family, relationships, and many other commitments can have an impact on your academic success. If you are struggling to find a balance between everything you need and want to do, a great place to start with finding assistance is the Student Success office. They can help connect you with appropriate resource across campus, as well provide you with helpful advice.

For information about how the Student Success office can help you find the assistance you need, visit the Student Success website.

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