![](https://edsource.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/IMG_0111-1-1024x683.jpg)
Los Angeles City College
Credit: Larry Gordon / EdSource
For most people, the most stressful time of their studies is the first year of college. The transition from my high school routine came to an abrupt end.
A whole new level of freedom has been given to us. To be honest, even that can be overwhelming. You may suddenly miss a class or two and have no one to call home, and it's appealing to see college as an opportunity to socialize. All of this can lead students, especially those at community colleges where the material is not always rigorous, to make the mistake of not putting in the proper effort in the way their education requires.
So what happens when students hit bumps in the road as they begin their college careers?
For me, there was another factor that affected my ability to do my best in class. As soon as I began the next chapter of my educational journey, I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis. I couldn't shake the feeling that my world was falling apart.
This disease can sometimes cause frustrating pain that we cannot predict. There were times when it felt even more impossible to concentrate in class than to participate. My grades suffered as I tried to manage my social life, deal with my illness, and balance my classes.
My first few semesters at community college featured the dreaded Ws, withdrawals, and even a pair of Fs. I knew immediately that my chances of a transfer were low, so I decided to take a break. Maybe college wasn't for me. I had to put my dreams aside and try to find a job. Considering the cost of medications and doctor visits, it wasn't a bad idea. So I dropped out and thought for a while that I wouldn't have a chance to get a degree.
Then the Covid pandemic hit, which forced me to work and go to school from home.
Given my academic record, I thought transferring was out of the question, but the opportunity to take online courses was attractive.
I decided to email my advisor at my local community college to see what I could do to transfer despite my poor transcript.
Surprisingly, I learned about the little-known academic certificate renewal policy. The scheme allows community college students who have taken a two-year gap year to apply to clear a limited number of units from their GPA. They will be kept on record to give potential four-year colleges a more complete picture of their efforts. However, if you can get back to class and start playing ball, you have a chance to rebuild your academic career.
Academic renewal was first introduced in 2008, according to California Community Colleges.
This gives students the opportunity to petition to have Ds and Fs removed from their GPA, but they must first achieve a certain level of passing grade to begin the process.
Ultimately, the work has to be done by the student. Dropping a few Ws and Fs from your GPA does not guarantee success. But the opportunity to get a second chance at education can offer hope to people facing illness, financial hardship, or other unexpected circumstances.
Your first semester of college shouldn’t follow you forever. Thankfully, the state’s community college system understands this.
When I filled out the academic renewal application with my advisor, I did not have high expectations. But surprisingly, they were very helpful in making it possible for me to plan to take the right courses to transfer to the university of my choice.
The next four semesters were the hardest thing I've ever done. I returned as a student with a mission to attend classes as often as possible, ask professors questions, participate in study groups, and even become a teaching assistant. Thankfully, my illness improved, and I felt like I could become a student.
Thanks to my advisors, professors, and fellow students, I was able to transfer to the university of my dreams.
However, I wish this renewal process was more widely known, as not all students who are initially struggling in their academic journey reach out to an advisor. Community colleges can and should find better ways to help students understand that they have second chances through lesser-known courses.
Students across the state need to know about academic renewal. It could be the difference between giving up on getting your degree or achieving your goal.
•••
Joshua Picazo He majors in Media Studies at UC Berkeley and is a member of EdSource. California Student Journalism Corps.
The opinions expressed in this article represent those of the author. EdSource welcomes comments representing a variety of viewpoints. If you would like to submit a comment, please review our guidelines and then contact us.