It’s scary but you’re strong. At this point in the semester you will probably have an idea if academic probation is in your future or if it is a possibility based on your grades this semester. Either way you need to prepare for what could happen. As someone who was on academic probation for two semesters I know what it looks like and how scary it can be. Feeling constantly anxious about being kicked out of your university is terrifying. The words I’m going to lend to you is about my own experience and hopefully will prepare you for what you might have to endure.
Let’s start with that email. That email clicking on it and seeing that you are now looked at as a person on academic probation can make a you break down. I don’t know if you have ever felt ashamed before but when I saw this email I had never felt such an awful feeling before. The problem I first made while on academic probation was that I hid it from people. I had this overwhelming sense of being ashamed and it took me a while to even tell my parents what was going on, but I had to.
Don’t be ashamed of it, don’t hide this fact. Tell people and you can have a great support system behind you. Being alone and feeling disappointed in yourself can take a massive toll on a person, so let your close friends and family know and you won’t feel like you’re alone.
It was entirely all my fault.
In my case the blame was on me. This is when I had to take a step back and really understand that I did this to me which meant I was the only one who could fix it. Now I’m not saying there’s one thing that did that made all of this happen, but you need to think about the choices that you make that have put you in this position. For me personally it was the sorority I was a part of at the time. The pressure that was put on me to go out so they could keep their reputation was too much for me to partake in and balance my academics. Clearly this isn’t the case for most, but for me it was,and I made the wrong choices. I was scared of the pressure that was put on me and focused on the wrong thing.
Focusing on the positive things is the next step.
Whatever is hindering you from doing your absolute best you need to let go of. Whether it’s the pressures of being in a sorority, a toxic relationship or friendship, or whatever the case may be, it’s time to let go. Focus on the good things you have like your support system. Having my parents be supportive, my friends uplifting me when I would get stress, and my boyfriend to motivate me that I can come out of this stronger was the greatest help a person could have.
Now it’s up to you. You got yourself in this hole now it time to come out.
It’s going to suck actually studying more and having to prove yourself to such a high caliber but you can do this. Find different ways to take notes, study more than one hour, and actually apply yourself to your education. Something that I did a lot and I still do now is go in to my advisor and talk to them. Having the reassurance you’re moving in the right direction is very helpful. You got into college, you came this far, a few mistakes and slip ups are not going to determine your entire future.
Come out on top because you came this far and you deserve the best, so be the best for yourself.
Good luck to all this finals season, and if it doesn’t turn out the way you wanted it to that doesn’t mean it’s over for you.