Having trouble with classes?

By Tara M. Hall

Don't worry. Here's how to get moving in the right direction:

Talk to your professor

Open and maintain communication with your instructor. She or he can help you by discussing your progress in the class, course requirements and obligations, estimated grades, and the steps you can do to get back on track. Refer to your syllabus for contact information and office hours. Make time to talk with your instructor the moment you feel as if you are having trouble.

Make connections in class

Talk to your peers, form study groups, discuss course material, identify shared challenges, and gain input from others.  Some people learn better by teaching others, and having a support system made up of fellow classmates is a win-win situation for any student.

Visit the Learning Lab and seek tutoring

The learning lab provides free, one-on-one and group tutoring as well as guided study groups in a variety of subject areas for your ACC classes. This is a service provided to you in your student fees, so take advantage of a great opportunity for extra help. Anyone and everyone can benefit from tutoring; just think of it as a way for you to learn the material in a different way. Click for the hours at all campuses.

Make a list of how you spend your time

Time management is often key to a student’s success. Make a list of how your time is spent each day. A simple thing like having a calendar and making lists of your tasks and assignments can prove to be beneficial. Highlight times when you could be studying or working on class material. For example, ask yourself questions such as: If you ride the bus, can you use that time to read a textbook? Are your extracurricular plans preventing you from accomplishing homework? Is there any time within your daily routines that would be better spent studying?

Are your sleeping habits positive?

Know the withdrawal dates

It is very important to be aware of when and if you can withdraw from a class.  Withdrawing can result in a change in your completion rate (see academic status) and a “W” on your transcript. Also, if you are taking a developmental course for the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requirements, dropping the class may result in your other courses being dropped. If you are uncertain about any of these issues, please visit Student Services. Important Dates to Remember:

See an advisor or counselor on any campus

Visit Student Services.  An advisor or counselor can discuss your options and help you plan the best course of action. Advisors and counselors are here to help ensure your academic success at Austin Community College. Click here to learn more.

Tara M. Hall is an advisor at the Rio Grande Campus. Tara earned her bachelor’s degree in speech communication from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. She was previously an advisor for the College of Arts and Humanities at A&M-CC for three years before moving to Austin. Tara is currently working on her master’s degree in communication studies at Texas State University in San Marcos. She is a freelance writer and enjoys spending time working on a nonprofit that supports preschool music education.