“Dear Natalie,
I flunked out. I’m 90 per cent sure I just failed two of my classes and I have a final tomorrow that I’m also 90 per cent sure that I’m going to fail too. I kind of figured I would just pass, but now I’m really starting to panic. What do I do? Will I be kicked out of UBC???”
As always, I'm not your academic advisor. Do not take my advice as gospel and do not make any decisions before talking to your academic advisor. In fact, that’s my first piece of advice — talk to your academic advisor! I don’t care if it’s your Enrolment Services Professional (ESP) or your faculty advisor, but you need to talk to someone who has more sway than you. You need to get them on your side. Don’t try to fake your way through this — you want them to like you and help you long-term and that means being honest.
As for whether you are going to get kicked out of UBC, there are a few things that UBC takes into consideration before kicking out a student. I don’t know what faculty you’re in, but this website says that if you’re in Arts and your average for the year is above 55 per cent (which yours totally could be depending on your grades), you remain in “good standing.”
If you are between 45 per cent and 54 per cent, then you are placed on academic probation for the rest of your degree, which just means that you can’t get an average below 55 per cent again during your degree. It’s your second chance, so to speak.
If your average falls below 45 per cent, you will be required to take a “failed year” standing and you’ll have to take some time off.
Different faculties have different recruitments, but a quick look brought these up for engineering, science, Sauder and kin. Again, you must talk to an advisor who can help you. You’re going to need to talk to them anyway, so why don’t you just go first and get ahead of everyone else who needs to see them at the end of the term?
You may be given the chance to write an appeal letter, but I don’t think that’s a given.
UBC does want you to do well and they are willing to work with you if you ask. Take a deep breath and know that even if you do have to leave for a year, it’s not the end of the world. I know it feels like it, but it’s not. A lot of people don’t even go to university. You’re fine. There is a life beyond campus.
Also, if you find that the regular course load is too much, consider taking only three or four courses. If you need help with your mental health, get it. You should be getting the help you need, regardless of how well you’re doing in your courses. There’s no point trying to take on the world if you aren’t able to make it out healthy and happy.
As a side note, the one really, really good thing about failure (not that you failed yet!) is that it really scares you — enough that you probably won’t fail again.
Need advice? Contact Natalie anonymously at asknatalie@ubyssey.ca and have your questions answered in an upcoming issue.
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