Achieve program may help USI students struggling with courses

Many students panic at the thought of failing a course, and don't know where to turn.  This year, the University Division Achieve program is newly revamped and running.  
    

Achieve is headed by Renee Rowland, lead advisor, and is a support system for students in danger of failing.
    

“There are some students who think they have to do everything on their own, and are afraid to ask for help.  Other students are simply unaware of the resources available to them,” Rowland said.
    

The University Division, located on the first floor of the Education Center, is using the Achieve program to help students better understand why they are having trouble with a course and to help them take a plan of action.  
    

In order for this to happen, faculty send references of students with low class grades to the University Division, and then that student receives an email detailing the options available to them.
    

Achieve was first founded by Joan DeVillez, who no longer works at USI, around 2002-2003.  
    

The idea of the program was to be an “early alert program” to access the student population and how they were doing in class Rowland said.  
    

The main problem of the program is the lack of feedback.
    

According to Rowland, in the Fall of 2007, 426 students were referred to the program.
    

Achieve works with the student one-on-one, usually after an introductory advising meeting with Rowland.  
    

That student is then able to set up a time and place to meet with an individual or group of individuals to work toward reaching his or her particular classroom goals.
    

When students meet with an advisor, they can be referred to a study skills tutor or to the Writer's room, both of which are located on the first floor of the Education Center.
    

Although the current target group for the Achieve program is incoming freshman and returning sophomores, the program is available to everyone.                 Walk-ins are always welcome. Students can self-refer themselves and should not feel the need to be referred to the program by a professor or advisor.
    

“Don't wait until the last minute to ask for help.  Be realistic.  Help is out there, all (students) have to do is find it,” Rowland said.  
    

Students are taught to engage in active reading (a method of reading that keeps the student awake and aware of what they are reading) as well as how to develop a reading schedule, how to take notes and how to approach a difficult class in another way Rowland said.
    

Rowland sends new e-mails  out to students who have been referred to the program every week or two to list upcoming events that may help them further succeed.
    

Rowland also suggests talking to the professor of the course for help, and if extra credit is unavailable, to engage in supplemental instruction.  
    

Students can also go the Academic Skills room and meet with other students who are taking the course.
    

As with most students, cost is a high priority on the list of things that can or can’t be done.  
    

Services provided by the Achieve program and others in University Division are completely covered by tuition and no other fees are required.