Academic Turnaround Program
Have you been required to withdraw from your faculty and are looking for a way to stay at UCalgary, get back in good academic standing, and complete a degree? We want to help get you back on track!
Coordinated jointly by the Student Success Centre and the participating faculties, this program is for students who will be required to withdraw from the Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Science, Haskayne School of Business, School of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape, or Schulich School of Engineering and are seeking an opportunity to regain their academic standing.
How to participate in the Academic Turnaround Program
Eligible students will receive an invitation to participate in the Academic Turnaround Program for the 2023/2024 academic year.
To successfully complete the application process and program requirements, you'll need to engage in your online ATP Program Guide. From this guide, you'll have an opportunity to;
- Learn key tools to assist you in developing a plan for greater academic success
- Identify available resources to help improve your academic performance
- Access information necessary to complete the Academic Turnaround Program
Step 1: Apply for the Academic Turnaround Program
Entrance into the program is conditional upon the submission of:
- A Plan for Success
- Your completed contract
Your full application (Plan for Success and completed contract) must be submitted by the deadline indicated in your invite letter.
Step 2: Modify your course schedule
You'll receive a response from an academic development specialist within 5 business days of your submission, If your application has been approved, you'll receive an approval letter which will contain details on the program requirements.
Afterward, it's important that you modify your course schedule based on the criteria outlined by your faculty.
Step 3: Register for the Academic Turnaround Seminar Series (ATSS)
As soon as you've been approved for the program, you can register for the Academic Turnaround Seminar Series. The seminar series is a weekly non-credit class designed to provide you in-context strategies, help you create goals, and allow you to reflect on your academic improvement and wellbeing on a weekly basis. You'll attend weekly seminars in the fall semester, alongside your academic courses.
Step 4: Verify you have paid the program fee
The $500 program fee will be applied to your Student Centre at the beginning of the semester in which you engage in the Academic Turnaround Series. The deadline to pay this fee without incurring interest is the fee payment deadline. This is in line with your UCalgary tuition fee payment schedule.
Step 5: Attend your registered ATSS
To complete the seminar requirement, you must achieve a passing grade of 70%. The details of the seminar are in your course outline, which is accessible through your D2L course.
Step 6: Raise your GPA and obtain Good Standing
Following your placement on academic probation in ATP, your academic record will again be reviewed and you must have achieved the GPA requirement as indicated by your faculty.
Academic Success
This non-credit course provides students with an opportunity to improve their academic success by developing in-context academic strategies, as well as creating and tracking academic goals, while engaging in reflection and discussions about their academic improvement.
Focusing on the development of self-regulated learning strategies, students will learn study techniques through an on-going application to their current course work.
Content related to serlf-care and wellness will also be incorporated into the series.
It is mandatory for students in the Academic Turnaround Program to attend an Academic Turnaround Seminar Series (Academic Success or Personal Resilience).
Academic Success Stream - Topics:
- Mindset
- Big Picture Planning
- Self-Management
- Making the Most of Your Lectures
- Study Smarter, Not Harder
- Avoiding Procrastination
- Self-Assessment
- Self-care
- Check-in and Self-Compassion
- Creating a Study Plan
Personal Resilience
This non-credit course provides students with an opportunity to improve their academic success through fortifying their personal resilience, as well as creating and tracking academic goals while engaging in reflection about their academic improvement.
Focusing on the development of personal resilience, students will learn strategies to enhance their self-care and response to adversity, through an on-going application to their challenges during semester.
Content related to study techniques will also be incorporated into the series.
It is mandatory for students in the Academic Turnaround Program to attend an Academic Turnaround Seminar Series (Academic Success or Personal Resilience).
Personal Resilience Stream - Topics:
- Personal Meaning
- Goal-Setting
- Willpower and Motivation
- Self-Care
- Resilient Thinking (Part 1)
- Resilient Thinking (Part 2)
- Social Support
- Self-Compassion
- Gratitude
- Self-Reflection
Need assistance?
For questions regarding the Academic Turnaround Program, including application assistance, email turnaround@ucalgary.ca.
You may prefer to book an appointment with an Academic Development Specialist. To book, login to elevate.ucalgary.ca
Drop-in support for appointment booking and general questions is offered at our Virtual Front Desk, Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Access our Virtual Front Desk or by visiting the Student Success Centre on the 3rd floor of the Taylor Family Digital Library.
You are also welcome to email Academic Turnaround Program Coordinator, Kaliopi Gorgichuk at turnaround@ucalgary.ca.
Haskayne students should contact their faculty Academic Development Specialist, Susan Basudde at susan.basudde@haskayne.ucalgary.ca with all Academic Turnaround Program inquiries. If you would like to book a meeting, please email Susan to arrange a date and time.
For Faculty specific advising, contact an advisor in Undergraduate Science Centre, Arts Students’ Centre, Haskayne School of Business, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, or the Engineering Student Centre.
For independent advice, contact the Student Ombuds.
If you are experiencing any personal difficulties or require assistance in reassessing your academic and career goals, contact Counselling Services in the Wellness Centre.
“My time in the STEPS program
gave me a whole new perspective on the learning process and on university itself. Prior to my participation, I struggled significantly academically and felt lost in navigating higher education. Through the STEPS program, I was not only able to become a more efficient, dedicated learner, but I also gained a newfound sense of confidence in myself. STEPS is not only a program that improves your studying; it also helps your wellbeing and outlook, providing you with the right tools and mindset to reach your academic goals.”
- Academic Turnaround Seminar Mentor
FAQ
If we have not received your ATP application by the deadline, you will be withdrawn from your program and removed from all courses in which you are currently registered. Your transcript will reflect the ‘required to withdraw’ ruling. As per the Faculty Regulations on Required to Withdraw Students, you will be eligible to reapply to the University of Calgary after one year. In order to be considered for readmission you must meet the admission standards for your chosen degree program.
All students interested in entering ATP must complete their application by their indicated deadline. In the contract portion of the application, you will indicate when you will begin the program. You may take up to 1 year off from your studies before entering ATP. To request more than 1 year off, you will need to seek permission from your Faculty.
The program fee of $500 will be applied to your Student Centre at the beginning of the semester in which you engage with ATSS and can be paid through the same process as your regular class tuition. The deadline to pay this fee without incurring interest is by the fee deadline. This is in line with your UCalgary tuition fee payment schedule. Students taking time off will be required to pay their program fee the semester they return to their studies.
Contact your Faculty to discuss.
Course loads are limited so that students are able to gradually find their footing. The goal of restricting course loads is to help students take their studies slowly while they work to return to good standing.
Course limits are set in place to support students in a successful turnaround. Only at the discretion of the Faculty, on a case-by-base basis may a student make a change to their course limits. Any exceptions to these limits MUST be approved prior to the registration deadline for the term requested.
Yes – taking academic courses during block week will count towards your course limit.
As the seminar is a required component of ATP, it is important to adjust your class schedule accordingly. Contact your Faculty Program Advisor for assistance in creating your schedule.
If you can’t attend a seminar on any given week, contact your seminar Instructor. Refer to your course outline for their contact information.
Without permission in advance from your seminar Instructor, you will not receive attendance credit for showing up to another section.
Arriving late means missing a substantial amount of content. If you are over 15 minutes, you will be marked absent.