When Parents Reach Out First
My first contact with a college student in crisis usually comes from the parents through a phone call or email.
What Academic Crisis Really Looks Like
The usual scenario is they have just found out their child is failing in classes, or have already ended the quarter or semester with failing grades, and have been put on academic probation. Unless the student has signed a waiver to allow their parents to check their grades, there is no communication from professors regarding academic progress.
Helping Parents Find Hope
My primary focus, at first contact with parents, who are feeling hopeless at this situation and frightened for their child’s future, is to talk them “off the ledge.” As I have worked with so many students in this tenuous situation over the years, I am able to honestly say their child can turn his or her negative circumstances around, and become successful. The reasons for this can include skipping classes, drugs and alcohol usage, mental health issues, learning disorders, and difficulties with executive functioning.
Giving Students a Voice in Their Own Recovery
The next step is to meet with the student over FaceTime and allow them to decide is we are a good fit to work together. It is empowering to them to have a say in this as they are also scared and ashamed and feel powerless in their life at this time. Once a decision to work with me is established, the work begins. Contacting their advisor, professors, and often the Dean to create a plan to put in place on how to save the quarter or semester. This could mean a list of assignments to make up and/or applying for an incomplete in the class or classes.
Accountability, Structure, and Follow-Through
The goal is to complete the work needed to pass each class. In the meantime, I am working with the student to accomplish this goal by setting up the accountability factors, which will include meeting with me, often 2 times a week, planning the work to accomplish, check-ins, the use of a google doc shared with me, and a calendar. Once everything falls into place, I am able to see a huge sense of relief occur for both the student and the parents. The outcome then becomes positive, and the tools that have now been put in place are able to be used for future success in the coming quarters or semesters.