Return to the A&S Advising Index

How can I improve my GPA?

• GET HELP! 
  • If you seek out help when you first run into an issue or problem you will have more options to choose from and may avoid further complications.  If you don't know where to turn, contact the Dean’s Office or check out the Support Services on Campus

• CHECK OUT THE ACADEMIC HELP PAGE! 
• The page contains numerous resources including: Support Services on Campus, (Un)Satisfactory Academic Progress, Success Strategies, Switching Majors, Warning Signs, Recovering from Fs in your Courses

• BE PROACTIVE / INFORMED / ORGANIZED! 
  • Adjust your schedule to utilize F to Rs or other strategies (see below)
  • Know the Registration & Add/Drop Deadlines
  • Review your syllabi for assignment, attendance & grading policies
  • Prepare a study schedule and map your assignments & reading for the semester
  • Check your midterm grades on MyNU

• ATTEND YOUR COURSES! 
  • If you do not go to class, you miss valuable course content and assignments.  With multiple abscences you can loose grade points or even fail a course.  Check your syllabi carefully for attendance policies, as they vary by professor.

• STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE YOUR GPA
• F to R Policy (F To R Form)
• The F to R Policy can be used on up to 4 courses.
• This policy states that if you have failed a course you can retake that same course at NU, if you pass the course then you can have the original F changed to an R which will no longer be factored into your overall GPA.
• This increases your GPA more than taking a random course, because not only do you get a new grade, but the original F is removed
• Compensate for your GPA
• If you have done poorly, you can raise your GPA by getting higher grades in your Niagara University courses. (Transfer courses don’t count)
• The affects of this strategy are not as dramatic as an F to R might be and the impact depends on how many credits you have already completed.
• This is the only way to raise your GPA if you used all 4 possible F to Rs.
• Consider changing your major
• If you are struggling in one area of study, you can switch your major to a different field which may be more appropriate for your strengths or interests. (Please note that certain GPAs are required to switch between some majors)
• If you remain in a major you are struggling with too long it may lower your overall/major GPA resulting in dismissal or making it difficult to gain a 2.0.
• If you are not sure where to turn, make an appointment in the Dean’s office.
• Check out what GPA you need to achieve to reach a certain GPA
• Use the Overall GPA Calculator and a copy of your student transcript to determine how well you need to do to reach your goal GPA.
• Use the Major GPA Calculator and a copy of your student or MyNU transcript to determine how well you need to do to reach your goal GPA.