Category Archives: In Your Words

How to Maximize this Resource

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Some of you visiting this blog may be avid blog readers, since there are blogs out there on just about every topic known to human kind. But, I (Becca) would venture to say that there is a much larger number of readers who are much less familiar with the idea of a blog. So, I’ve decided to highlight some helpful parts of this blog that you can utilize to get your academics back on track or take them to a new level of awesome.

  • The “Campus Resources” tab at the top of the page leads you to a list of helpful campus resources, short descriptions of what each office can help you with, and a link to their webpage with contact information. Sometimes  the first step in the right direction is knowing who to ask for help…and then actually doing it!
Screen shot of Campus Resource Page
  • Click on a “Category” on the right side of the page to be taken to all of the posts that deal with that particular topic. There are all kinds of topics to choose from ranging from more detailed information about offices on campus that can help in your academic journey under “Campus Partners” to stories from U of O students who have struggled academically and overcome obstacles to get back on track to success under “In Your Words”. Here is one of my favorite campus partner posts and one of my favorite posts from a student:

Spotlight on the Teaching and Learning Center: Part 1

and

Jessica’s Story – Academic Disqualification & Reinstatement

  • Get to know some of the advisors in the Office of Academic Advising by reading the “About Us” section or by choosing the “Meet Your Advisor” category. If we all could share one thing with students it would be that we exist to help you be successful – SO COME SEE US! We got into academic advising to work with students and talk through all kinds of issues whether it be celebrating with you over a great accomplishment or walking you through how to have a tough conversation with your parents about your academics.  To schedule an appointment all you have to do is call 541.346.3211 and our front desk workers will get you taken care of.

Office of Academic Advising Staff Photo 2011

I guess what I’m trying to say is welcome to the blog and I hope you stick around and check out some of the posts! I’m glad you made it this far and I hope you will find some good information to help you on your path to success. Don’t hesitate to come see us for more information or even just to find out where to begin. Enjoy your break and we’ll see you in the winter!

Where’s Jessica Now?

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One of the best parts about being an advisor is getting to work with students through many milestones on their academic journey. Today we bring you an update from Jessica, who spoke with us last June about her disqualification and reinstatement. In case you missed the interview, take a minute to catch up here. Jessica speaks openly and honestly about dealing with the notice of disqualification, telling her parents, and working to get back on track. It wasn’t easy, but Jessica was committed to making positive and long-lasting changes. When asked that day about her upcoming summer classes at UO (her first time back in a year), Jessica said:

“I know I’m capable of getting better grades than I was before. I now feel like I’ve developed the tools to get those grades. I’m really pumped [about reinstatement]. I’m really excited.” – Jessica

Jessica came to UO and backed up that enthusiasm and excitement with lots of hard work. We are thrilled to report that not only was she reinstated, but she has now completed three terms at UO with nothing but A’s and B’s. Just as exciting, she’s found her way to a double-major that she finds personally and academically fulfilling.

CONGRATULATIONS JESSICA!

 

Jessica’s Story – Academic Disqualification & Reinstatement

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“I know I’m capable of getting better grades than I was before. I now feel like I’ve developed the tools to get those grades. I’m really pumped (about reinstatement). I’m really excited.” – Jessica

Katie here. Last June I took a phone call from a recently disqualified student. Jessica had finished her first year at UO, moved home for the summer, and – when trying to do a routine transaction on Duckweb – found out she’d been academically disqualified. She admits now that it shouldn’t have come as a complete surprise – she’d been on probation since the end of her first term – but it didn’t make hearing the news any easier.

Jessica petitioned right away for cancellation of the disqualification but was denied. Following the terms of her disqualification letter, she enrolled at Lane Community College for the 09-10 academic year and started checking in regularly with our office. Jessica’s come a long way in a year and (I’m happy to report) was just reinstated to the UO for Fall 2010. Congratulations Jessica!

I felt Jessica’s story would resonate for a lot of students and parents, so I invited her in for an interview. She speaks honestly about disqualification…the good, the bad, the embarrassing, and the unexpected. So whether you’re disqualified yourself, or supporting a son, daughter, or friend through this process, take a few minutes and listen as Jessica talks about breaking the news to her parents, finding support through her friends, enrolling at Lane, and finding a new major.

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Transcript for Jessica’s Story

Would you like to talk to an advisor about your academic record? Have you been disqualified and you’re not sure what to do next? Call our front desk and request an appointment: 541-346-3211.

Academically Disqualified…what now?

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Some of you reading this may have recently found out that you’re academically disqualified. Disqualification can feel punitive, but in actuality, the university is recognizing how difficult school is for you right now. Maybe you’ve experienced unexpected health issues or family responsibilities. Maybe you started college out of high school and struggled to adapt to the university’s academic standards. We understand that these things happen, and as advisors we meet students at all stages of this process.

On Thursday morning I met with Tony, a UO student who was academically disqualified in 2008 and is now working towards reinstatement for fall 2010. For those of you who are newly-disqualified, we thought you might appreciate hearing from someone who understands firsthand what you’re going through.

Tony reflected on his process over the past couple years – from initially getting the news and feeling upset and overwhelmed, to using this time to reconsider his career goals and work on personal stressors that were interfering with school. Now he’s looking forward to returning to UO and completing a major in public relations. I asked him to write out his thoughts related to disqualification and reinstatement:

Thinking back to Spring 2008 when you were academically disqualified, can you describe how you initially felt when you read your letter of disqualification?

Three words come to mind when I think of that moment – embarrassed, disappointed, and terrified.  I was embarrassed of what people around me would think about how I could not manage to keep a minimum GPA.  I was disappointed in myself – how could I let this get to a point that I could not get myself out?  And terrified about how I am going to fix this and how it is going to affect my future.  After those feelings stopped, I wanted to get right back into school, then realized I needed more time and that time made everything change for me.

How have your thoughts and feelings about disqualification changed since then?

I still think that disqualification is hard to handle, and no matter what, your feelings are going to be the same at the initial point you read the letter.  But that little letter changes everything for you!  You have to actually take time to figure out what you want and what matters to you. It’s hard at first, but that letter changes everything and points you in the right direction if you let it.

Looking ahead to the coming year, what are your personal and professional goals?

The time disqualification has given me to really look at what I want has changed my whole perspective. The time off gave me a chance to just be around some friends and their jobs and I realized there are jobs out there that you can enjoy and they become more than just a job.  I have realized that going to school is a great opportunity but a responsibility at the same time.  Take the opportunity to chase what you want, for me I realized that the time off made me want to go back to school even more. It also reinforced for me my career objective.

If you would like to speak to an advisor about disqualification or reinstatement (and everything in between), call our front desk at 541-346-3211 and request an appointment.

In Your Words

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When we started this blog we had a couple of ideas about what we wanted to include on it. We both thought it was important to include students’ perspectives about what academics at the UO have been like for them. As academic advisors students tell their stories to us, but we wanted a way for them to share their stories with each other. Feel free to share your thoughts or personal reflections in the comments.

Our first post comes from J.K., who is close to completing her degree in English. We asked her a few questions by email and here are her candid responses, including some quotes that she wanted to share:

Can you summarize your academic journey at the UO?

J.K.: My academic journey at UO has been like riding the fastest rollercoaster on this planet. Long, ups and downs, twists and turns; but in the end I want to ride it all over again.

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What have been some of your greatest academic challenges?

J.K.: My greatest academic challenge was trying to find a purpose. Without that purpose I made excuses for my lack of motivation because I felt like there was a void in my life, which hindered me from doing well. Since I did not do well, I fell into a deep state of depression and was questioning life, friends, values and a sense of meaning in life. I didn’t understand that a part of growing up and getting an education is a purpose in itself and the rest will come later.

“Hope is not the conviction that something will turn out well but the certainty that something makes sense, regardless of how it turns out.” – Václav Havel

What have been some of your greatest achievements?

J.K.: I haven’t earned any awards. I haven’t won any trophies. I haven’t deserved any recognition. But I have gained an immense amount of experience, relationships, and gratitude towards life and my education that I would never trade for any piece of paper.

“I am thankful for all the hardships because it means I can learn from the past to apply to the present for success in the future.” – Me

Knowing what you do now, if you could go back to your first term and give yourself advice, what would you say?

J.K.: If I could go back I definitely would have been involved with student programs and communities. The UO has many opportunities to be involved in, in any aspect of interest. And they are fun! It’s a good thing to support your peers. I wish I had gone to more productions offered by the student body, from music to drama to sports; I should have taken advantage of all aspects of “campus life.”

Most importantly, I would say to myself these next things: choose your friends wisely. Don’t make excuses. Recognize what greatness is. Work to achieve that. Then work five times harder and exceed ten times further.

What are your post-graduation plans?

J.K.: Travel. Experience life and different cultures. Most of all offer my time by helping people in other countries that are less fortunate than me. Graduate school is definitely in my future. Knowledge is power, no matter who you are or where you are—learning doesn’t end. It’s the way of the future.

travel

“The improvement of understanding is for two ends: first, our own increase of knowledge; secondly, to enable us to deliver that knowledge to others.” – John Locke

Anything else you would like to pass along to students who are concerned about their grades?

J.K.: Don’t obsess about grades! Appreciate your education and excel above and beyond your learning habits. Then good grades will follow naturally. Making excuses and being lazy will get you nowhere in life. No one will take you seriously if you can’t take yourself seriously. So strive for excellence, not just for yourself and your future, but for the change you can be for the world.

“Anything can happen if you are willing to put in the work and remain open to the possibility. Dreams are realized by effort, determination, passion and staying connected to that sense of who you are.” – Michael Jordan

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