Sample Action Plan
A strong action plan defines HOW a student will improve grades and is very specific. Students should identify what went wrong in the previous term(s) to develop a strong action plan. Did any of the following contribute to a reduced grade?
Work with your Success Coach to create the strongest appeal!
Seminar attendance - Did you attend each week or submit the alternative assignment?
Missing seminar can dramatically reduce grades because the points build week over week.
Low discussion board participation - Did you post less than the required amount per week? Are you replying to multiple classmates?
By participating less than required by your discussion rubric you are losing valuable points.
Late assignments - Were any assignments late? One week reduces the grade by 10% and two weeks reduces the grade by 20%.
Once work is submitted late, it can become a snowball effect and it becomes difficult for students to get caught up again. That said, late work is better than earning a zero.
Writing errors on assignments - Were you docked points for typos, grammatical errors, or other writing errors?
Utilize the Writing Center, Paper Review Service and/or Academic Writer found on the Academic Success Center.
APA - Were you docked points for not meeting APA standards, which includes paper layout and correct citations?
Utilize the Writing Center, Paper Review Service and/or Academic Writer found on the Academic Success Center.
Gradebook feedback - Did you review the feedback from your professor for each grade earned?
Instructors provide valuable feedback in the grade book. Use the feedback on future assignments so you are not making the same mistakes week after week.
Time management - Did you dedicate enough time to complete your assignments?
If you are not building in 20-25 hours a week while taking two classes, you may need to revisit your time management and priority list. Review what caused you to not devote enough time, and determine what needs to change. Your success coach can help you with this!
Plagiarism - Did you receive a plagiarism charge?
Utilize the Turnitin report in your dropbox to review your papers prior to final submission. You can also visit the Academic Success Center to find academic integrity videos and resources to help you avoid plagiarism in the future. A first offense for plagiarism is failure of the assignment. A second offense is failure of the course, and a third offense is academic dismissal without the ability to return.
A strong action plan may contain some of the following action items. Do not copy and paste, but use them as a guide to create your own personal action plan. You will want to list specific resources you plan to use and/or defined steps you will take to improve your grades.
I will visit the Library (explain how you will use the library resources).
I will utilize the Academic Success Center (explain which resources you will use and how you will use them throughout the term).
I have assistance caring for family/children/elderly parents (explain who is helping you and what type of help is provided. How will this help you?).
My medical condition has improved (explain how it has changed and how that will help your grades).
My work situation has changed (explain what changed and how that impacts your ability to perform better).
My financial situation has improved (explain what changes have taken place and how this impacts your situation for improvement).
I will utilize tutoring (provide details as to what tutoring you are using and the tutoring plan. Keep in mind the only approved tutors are through the Academic Success Center).
I will utilize the Paper Review Service (explain how you will use the service and demonstrate you have planned enough time to submit early and receive feedback before assignments are due).
I will submit an alternative assignment when I cannot attend a seminar (explain how you have built time into your schedule to get this accomplished. What has changed to make this happen?).
My time management has improved because... (explain what has changed and how much time you can devote to classes. Keeping in mind, students taking two classes should set aside at least 20-25 hours per week).
I have attended the Time Management webinar or listened to the recording (describe what you learned from the webinar that will help you).
I have attended the Stress Management webinar or listened to the recording (describe steps to help your wellbeing and what you will do differently).