Are Your Grades Slipping?

Bounce Back Program Helps Students on Academic Probation Get Back on Track

A pilot program launched by Counseling & Psychological Services has shown great success in helping students get off academic probation. Called "Bounce Back," the program teaches students resiliency in facing their challenges.

Created by Marsha Weinberg and Maria Hanger, two counseling psychologists in SDSU's Counseling and Psychological Services, Bounce Back addresses who the students are and what they are struggling with in a very personal way. It is based on resiliency theory and positive psychology, which seek to help students understand their strengths.

Academic probation occurs when an SDSU student's GPA falls below a 2.0 ("C") average. If that student cannot bring his/her grades up by the second semester, then he or she will be academically disqualified from the university and asked to leave. Freshmen students who end up on academic probation are at a higher risk of becoming disqualified.

Bounce Back seminars meet one hour per week for 14 weeks. Topics covered include advising sessions, developing time management and study skills, stress management, improving coping skills, avoiding procrastination, and various other positive psychological subjects.

Initial results are very promising. During the spring 2004 semester, students on academic probation who participated in the Bounce Back program had a 70 percent retention rate. In comparison, students on academic probation who did not participate in the study only had a 30 percent retention rate. Grade point averages were significantly higher for study participants when tested after completion of the program. Additionally, students had a stronger feeling of social support after completing the program. Participants praised the program and their peer coaches in their evaluations, citing the emphasis on real life issues.

"The preliminary study illustrates that resiliency can be learned and applied in academics," said Hanger. "Our goal now is to grow the program so we can reach the majority of students on academic probation. Because it is based on psychological theory, mental health professionals need to lead the program."

For more information about the Bounce Back program, visit Counseling and Psychological Services in SSW-2109, or call (619) 594-5220.

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