Overcome academic struggles with Laurier’s Goals, Plans, Achievement program

Getting grades back on track after a difficult term can be hard and the prospect of facing academic probation can be daunting if you’re not sure how to improve.

The Goals, Plans, Achievement (GPA) program, offered at Wilfrid Laurier University’s Brantford campus through Writing and Study Skills Services, is structured to assist students who are struggling academically. During the past four years, the program has helped more than 20 students continue studies after facing a precarious academic situation.

The GPA program is designed so students understand their strengths and challenges, as well as helping them develop skills to succeed. Although it is geared toward students who are struggling academically, any student seeking support can apply for the program.

Students in the GPA program begin by meeting Karley Doucette, writing and learning support coordinator with Laurier’s Writing and Study Skills Services.

“We start with an intake assessment where we figure out what's been going on, what the student has been struggling with and what their areas of strength are,” says Doucette. “Then we set up weekly appointments for the student to come in for the rest of the term.”

During initial meetings, Doucette may review time management, course requirements, exam study tips and other helpful information, depending on the individual students’ needs. She also introduces academic resources, such as a three-part time management tool, which includes a term schedule, a weekly schedule and daily prioritized task list.

For writing, Doucette may discuss various ways to approach assignments, such as idea mapping or visual brainstorming. Other tools available to students include WriteOnline, which provides students with academic writing guidance, and Laurier’s Assignment Planner, which helps students plot out project timelines.

“By the end of the term, our appointments become more of a check-in because we've already talked about the skills and strategies that students need to be successful,” says Doucette. “They're putting them into practice and they're seeing results.”

I-Chieh Chao, a Laurier Social Work student, was worried about her grades after her first year of studies. She reached out to Writing and Study Skills Services and enrolled in the GPA program.

“I worked with Karley and many peer mentors,” says Chao. “The program helped me plan out my semester and kept me accountable as I moved forward each semester.”

Through the program, Chao developed a term schedule and reading schedule to help balance her workload.

“Both helped me stay on track,” says Chao. “I felt more organized and had a clear idea of when all assignments were due. Plus, the check-ins kept me accountable, making sure school work was done as I was learning to balance school, part-time jobs and extracurriculars.”

Gaining Confidence

Kullen Stewart, a Health Administration student, was referred to the GPA program when he reached out for help to improve his grades.

“This program not only helped me gain confidence in my ability to write, but helped improve my test-taking skills,” says Stewart. “As a result, I was able to reach my academic goals of graduating the postgraduate certificate component of my program with distinction and continuing to achieve those grades when I returned for my fourth year at university.”

Stewart also published a paper in Bridges, Laurier’s online peer-reviewed undergraduate journal, an opportunity he credits to the GPA program. He also used his skills to become a peer mentor at Writing and Study Skills Services during his final year.

While students can join the GPA program at any point during an academic term, Doucette suggests connecting early to build the skills needed to complete a semester successfully. Students can continue in the GPA program for more than one term.

“We ask students about how they are feeling and their confidence levels improve after participating in the GPA program,” says Doucette. “All of them say that the best thing about this program is the ongoing weekly support.”

Both Chao and Stewart graduated from their respective honours programs during Brantford’s recent spring convocation ceremonies.

“Throughout my experience with the GPA program, the staff cheered me on and celebrated every small or big success with me,” says Chao. “My academic experience at Laurier would not have been the same without the support I have received from Writing and Study Skills Services. I am grateful for the support Karley and her team have provided me throughout the last four years.”

Writing and Study Skills Services also hosts numerous workshops throughout the year and is open for appointments and drop-ins for study and writing support from peer mentors.

For more information about the GPA program or to book an appointment, email lbwritelearn@wlu.ca.