University Advisement Center

How Do I Improve My GPA?

How to improve my overall Grade Point Average (GPA)? 

Even with the best plan in place, sometimes students struggle during a semester, for a variety of reasons. It is important for students to be aware of the policies and procedures in place, as well as programs designed, to help prevent a poor grade in a course or raise a GPA.

Repeat Policy

Students are permitted to repeat most courses at Western; however, credit is granted only once toward graduation unless specifically noted in the course description (e.g., ENG376). For up to the first seventeen (17) academic credits of repeated courses, the highest grade attained by the student will be substituted for the lower grade(s) for the purpose of calculating the student’s grade point average (GPA).  Although the lower grade received in the repeated course will not be calculated in the GPA, it will remain visible on the student’s official university transcript. If a student repeats courses beyond the seventeen (17) academic credit limitation, the multiple grades attained for the repeated course(s) shall be used in the calculation of the student’s GPA. This policy applies to undergraduate courses completed at WCSU only, and may be applied only if the course is repeated after Fall 2008.

Please be sure to complete the Repeat Form: https://www.wcsu.edu/registrar/forms/

Repeating any course taken in a previous semester may affect certain federal and state benefits, various financial aid programs, loans, scholarships and social security benefits, in addition to athletic eligibility and veteran’s benefits. Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements must be met for continued financial aid eligibility.

Any course designated as X98 (Faculty-Developed Study) or X99 (Student Independent Study) is excluded from this policy. Special Topics classes are also excluded. Students are encouraged to consult with their academic advisor before repeating a course. Education majors and post-baccalaureate certification students should refer to the Education Department for information regarding the repeating of courses as this policy may affect eligibility for certification.

Create an Academic Success Plan

Meet with your academic advisor to create an Academic Success Plan for the semester. You and the advisor will discuss what types of supports you need to be academically successful. You can identify and discuss the obstacles faced in previous semesters and learn how to overcome them with new strategies.

It helps to build a relationship between the advisor and advisee. Your academic advisor is committed to helping you become academically successful in college and remain in good academic standing. This is a team effort!

Academic Resources

Utilize the Resources available on campus. We encourage students meeting with one of these resources prior to struggling with the material. This will allow you to get help from the start of the course.

Peer Academic Coaching Intervention

Peer Academic Coaching is unique and individualized service where trained, undergraduate peer coaches work to facilitate personal and academic growth in their fellow students through goal setting, self-reflection, role modeling, study-skill instruction, and facilitated practice. The main goals of academic coaching are to:

  • Make independent students
  • Help students learn how to learn and problem-solve effectively
  • Inspire motivation to succeed in academics
  • Help students establish effective study skills and habits
  • Provide accountability and model behaviors of academically successful students
  • Encourage students to utilize campus resources
  • Set academic goals and provide accountability to stay on track with assignments

Peer academic coaches provide their students with new study strategies, better organization and time management skills, general moral support, and create a supportive learning environment in which students are held accountable for their own success. Academic coaching is more than just study skills instruction. It is also effective in fostering a growth-oriented mindset, facilitating self-regulated learning, building personal advocacy skills, and teaching self-directed problem solving. To learn more about Peer Academic Coaching and how to sign up for it, please contact the Tutoring Center.