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Aside from the ALEC resources and professor help, SMU students can also visit the office of Student Success and Retention (SSR) to receive one-on-one meetings, strategic check-ins, and collaboration with offices across campus. There is also the option to take HEDV 1210- Academic Success and Personal Development, a graded course designed to help students improve reading efficiency, executive functioning, and learning skills.
SMU understands the drastic transition that occurs for new students entering a new environment and the toll that can take on academic performance. One of the main ways SMU instructors are able to provide guidance is through their personal office hours. Office hours are a vital way for students to receive one on one time with professors and/or TA’s for any clarification or answers they may need. Instructors can also point students into other tools and resources that SMU can offer them in specific areas of struggle, for instance utilizing the Writing Center or talking to a librarian.
Students can easily reach out to the numerous academic help resources that SMU offers to receive the tools and assistance that they may need. Tutoring, Writing Center, Learning Strategies Workshops, Academic Counseling, or DASS are just some of the resources that students can access for any help that they may need.
There are many ways for students to get ahead and improve their academic performance. It is important for students to evaluate their personal study habits within each course to easily detect any academic issues they may be unaware of. Continuously checking SMU Canvas is a great way to stay on top of assignments, check grades, and stay aware of any updates made by the professor. Students can also visit the Altshuler Learning Enhancement Center (ALEC) for additional resources and tools such as tutoring services, learning skill courses, and SMU’s Writing Center.
When evaluating any potential early alert circumstances, SMU will look further than only the EPR and MPR. Mainly focusing on faculty-input, student usage Canvas data, and Dropout Detective will provide dashboards to faculty and staff to identify at-risk students. There is also a midterm query for students, asking them how they view their academic performance. This helps the student and staff members identify lower performance levels than what is expected.