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Progressing Past Probation (P3)

What is Academic Probation?

Students are placed on probation when their GPA falls below 4.00 overall.

  • During probation, you are limited to 2.0 credits/term.
  • Probation is assessed upon 4.0 credit attempts.
  • If you fail to clear probation after completing 4.0 credits, you may be required to withdraw from the university.

How Do I Clear Probation?

To clear probation, an overall GPA of 4.00 or higher is required upon reassessment. Please see the academic standing webpage for full information.

If you do not earn the required 4.00+ GPA to clear probation, you may be eligible for a one-term extension.  To have this considered you must:

  • Earn a 5.00+ GPA (C average) on the 4.0 credits you attempted while on probation.
  • If you do not have the 5.00+ GPA, you may request an extension by submitting a petition to your home faculty; these petitions are not guaranteed but will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
  • If you do not have the 5.00+ GPA, successful completion of the Progressing Past Probation (P3) program will also grant an extension if eligibility criteria is met.

What is Progressing Past Probation?

Progressing Past Probation (P3) is an academic support program designed to help students to improve their academic standing. The P3 program will help you connect with academic advisors, academic support teams on campus, as well as financial health and wellness resources.

Steps through the P3 Program

  • Step 1: Understand your academic status. Watch a webinar, review the website, or make an appointment with your academic advisor to ensure you understand what it means to be on academic probation, and what you need to do to get back in good academic standing.
  • Step 2: You will be added to a Progressing Past Probation (P3) MyLearningSpace course.
  • Step 3: Find your resources. Watch the P3 Program Overview webinar on MyLearningSpace to find out more details about the program, what resources are available to you, and the incentives of completing the program such as having an extra semester to clear probation.
  • Step 4: Complete reflection activities. These will help you achieve your own academic success.
    • Connect with the Student Wellness Centres, Career Centre, financial wellness and campus partners/supports as needed to help you achieve your academic potential.

Tips for Registration When on Probation

Prepare for a successful next term by registering for the most appropriate courses for you.

  • Preparing for registration is critical while on probation because many courses have program-specific registration restrictions. Check the registration restrictions to know if you will be able to register when courses open up.
  • Discuss course selection with an academic advisor from your home faculty to ensure you are set up for success. Academic advisors can also help you with pathway planning and selecting a degree type/program that is a good fit for you.
  • Consider mirroring a program, or set yourself up by taking courses that will help you move into a new program once off probation. Note that not all courses will be available to mirror the program exactly based on program registration restrictions.
  • Consider repeating a courses to remove F (Zero GPA) grades to a higher grade, and thus increase your GPA. The second attempt grade is what is used to calculate your GPA. Courses can only be repeated once.
  • Reduced your course load. Just because you can take 2.0 credits doesn’t mean you have to. If you are an international student please contact laurierinternational@wlu.ca, or lbinternational@wlu.ca if you are considering a reduced course load.
  • Think strategically about your total number of courses. For example, if you have 2.0 credits left in your probation, taking 1.5 credits in one term so that you can take an additional 2.0 the next is always an option that may provide you with a more likely chance of reaching the required GPA to meet the requirements of academic probation.
  • Take courses that you believe you can succeed in – this is not the time to “test the waters.”
  • Find similar courses to courses you have been successful in. It could be based on the teaching method, the course content that interests you, or a professor you have enjoyed.
  • You may consider taking a semester or two off for personal, academic, or financial reasons. Reach out to your academic advisor to find out what steps might be best for you!  If you are an international student please contact laurierinternational@wlu.ca, or lbinternational@wlu.ca if you are considering taking a semester off.