Skip to content

Academic Help

The problems

  • Most students who come to the College are serious about academic success. Some do not realise the time commitment needed to get good grades and as a result semester one grades are generally lower than semester two grades. It is these grades that normally stop people from getting good first year averages. Members who do not settle down to study after the first few weeks tend to not easily recover.
  • Members who get romantically involved or take on a large amount of extra-curricular activities tend to spend less time attending to their studies, and consequentially their grades may suffer.
  • Members who are homesick for a long period of time do not seem to do well. However, students may sometimes use homesickness or health as an excuse for not working. Mental health issues can also negatively affect grades.

The Head of College chat

The Head of College will see every returning Member as soon as possible at the start of the year.

The Deputies chat

The Deputy Heads of College will see every first-year Member as soon as possible at the start of the year. In this meeting, aspects such as the following will be discussed:

  • How they are settling into the College and University.
  • Their future career plan and how they will achieve that.
  • Their approach to study.
  • The importance of keeping a balance and looking after themselves.

Your role

One of the best ways to help students is by setting an example with your own study habits. If College Leaders are seen to study hard, other Members will pick up on this.

Encourage your floor Members to attend tutorials and participate in all Mentor Group activities.

Keep an eye open for any of your floor Members who may be experiencing academic-related difficulties. Provide advice as needed. If necessary, discuss things with the Head of College or refer the Member to her. The University’s Student Development Centre also has great resources available to help students.

Make a good study skills video to alert students to think seriously about their upcoming studies (the video is usually shown soon after Orientation Week). One of the appendices in this Handbook provides a few tips in this regard.

Academic Catch-ups

The Deputy Head of College - Academic will schedule an academic catch-up with every Member who fails one or more of the first semester papers. Further catch-ups may be scheduled through the second semester to support these Members and help them to reach their academic goals.

The names of Members who are seen by the Deputy Head of College - Academic, who may need support from College Leaders following these catch-ups, will be shared with you on a needs-must basis.