»Student Resources

Worried about a friend? You're not alone. 
Supporting someone you care about can be rewarding—but also overwhelming. This guide can help you act while protecting your well-being. 

Should I Say Something? 
Yes, you should. 
Starting a conversation shows that you care. You don't need to have all the answers—just being present can make a huge difference. 

Take Care of Yourself Too 
Helping someone else starts with protecting your energy and well-being. Here's how to support them and set boundaries. 

1. Set Reasonable Expectations

• Not everything can be resolved in one conversation.
• Focus on one small step at a time. 

2. Know Why You're Reaching Out 

Ask yourself: 

• Are they isolating?
• Are they skipping class or acting out of character?
• Are you worried about their safety? 

3. Set Healthy Boundaries 
You matter, too. Here's how to recognize and respond to common situations: 

Scenario: You're staying up all night to support a friend.
What to do: 

• Call Public Safety at (714) 997-6763 or
• Student Psychological & Counseling Services at (714) 997-6778.
• Let your friend know you care, but you also need rest. 

Scenario: You're being yelled at or emotionally harmed. 
What to do: 

• Tell them clearly: abusive behavior isn't okay.
• Step away if needed and reconnect when it's safe. 

Scenario: They threaten to harm themselves if you leave. 
What to do: 

• This is a crisis. Call Public Safety immediately: (714) 997-6763.
• Don't "wait it out." Your friend's safety comes first. 

Scenario: They refuse to get outside help. 
What to do: 

• Explain that you care, but you're not a counselor.
• Offer to walk with them to their first session or
• Ask someone from the Dean of Students Office to reach out.

4. Know Your Limits 

• You're not expected to "fix" everything.
• Encourage them to seek help. Be honest about what you can and can't do. 

What To Do Next 

1. Check In 

• Text, call, or send a meme. Little things matter. 
• Ask: "How can I support you this week?" 

2.Use Campus Resources 

• CARE Referral: Submit Here
• Let us check in with your friend—or support you as you support them. 

1. 🗓️ Master Time Management

Utilize planners or digital calendars to schedule classes, study sessions, and personal activities. Implementing techniques like the Pomodoro Method—25 minutes of focused work followed by a 5-minute break—can enhance productivity and prevent burnout. ​Check out Suggestions for Time Budgeting. 

2. 🧠 Set SMART Goals

Define Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals. For instance, aim to improve your GPA by dedicating extra study hours each week.

3. 📚 Develop Effective Study Habits

Engage in active learning by summarizing information, teaching concepts to peers, or creating mind maps. These methods promote more profound understanding and retention. ​

4. 📝 Take Comprehensive Notes

Adopt note-taking systems like the Cornell Method to organize information efficiently. Handwritten notes can enhance memory and comprehension. Check out Hints for Good Note Taking. 

5. 🤝 Build Relationships with Professors and Peers

Attend office hours, participate in class discussions, and collaborate with classmates. These connections can provide support, mentorship, and academic opportunities. ​Check out “Five things the smart student know about office hours.”

6. 🧘‍♀️ Prioritize Well-being

Maintain a balanced lifestyle by ensuring adequate sleep, regular exercise, and healthy eating habits. Managing stress through mindfulness or counseling services can also enhance academic performance. ​Check out CU Health and Wellness. 

7. 🗂️ Stay Organized

Keep track of assignments, deadlines, and exam dates using planners or digital tools. Regularly declutter your study space to minimize distractions. Reference your class syllabus. 

8. 🧑‍🏫 Seek Academic Support

Don't hesitate to utilize campus resources like Tutoring and Learning Center (TLC), the Writing Center, or academic advisors. Seeking help early can prevent minor issues from escalating. ​

9. 💬 Communicate Effectively

Respond promptly to emails, ask questions in class, and seek clarification when needed. Effective communication fosters better relationships with faculty and peers. ​

10. 🎯 Reflect and Adjust

Regularly assess your academic strategies and make necessary adjustments. Reflecting on what works and what doesn't can lead to continuous improvement. ​ 

Supporting your academic success—even when life gets complicated. 
This guide is designed to help students (and families/supporters) navigate academic decisions while managing personal challenges or big life changes. It outlines actionable steps, potential impacts on graduation, housing, and financial aid, and who to talk to along the way. 

Where Are You in the Semester? 

Use this timeline to explore what options are available at each stage of the semester and what to consider when making your decision.

1. Before Classes Begin 
You Can:

• Take a Leave of Absence (Interrupted Enrollment) 
  Helpful if something major in your life will impact your ability to succeed this term. 
  • Talk to Academic Advising about how this may affect your graduation plan or study abroad eligibility. 
• Register with Disability Services 
  If you have a documented physical, mental health, or learning disability, accommodations can make a huge difference. 

2. During Add/Drop Period  
You Can: 

• Drop a class if you’re struggling and unsure if you can pass. 

Ask Yourself: 

• Will staying in this class hurt my GPA? 
• Can I still maintain at least 12 units to keep full-time status? 

Heads Up: 

• If you drop below 12 units: 
  • You may lose financial aid 
  • You may become ineligible for athletics or international visa requirements 
  • Check with Financial Aid before dropping: finaid@chapman.edu 

Good to Know: 
You may be able to appeal to reinstate financial aid if needed.

3. After Add/Drop Period or Once Grades Are Posted 
You Can: 

• Repeat the Course later for a better grade 
• Request a Late Withdrawal  (with documentation of extenuating circumstances) 
• Request anIncomplete (finish a course later, with faculty approval) 

What Each Option Means: 

Option	What It Is	Best For	Key Considerations
Repeat Course	Take it again to replace a low grade	Students early in their program with flexibility in their schedule	Only some courses are eligible; check with Academic Advising
Late Withdrawal	Drop the class after the withdrawal deadline	Students facing unexpected, documented issues (e.g., illness, crisis)	Not guaranteed; you’ll need to submit documentation
Incomplete Grade	Extra time to finish coursework after the semester ends	Students who’ve completed ~70% of the work and are passing	Only your professor can grant this—speak with them directly

 

Reminder: 
Taking fewer than 12 units can affect Satisfactory Academic Progress, which may put your financial aid at risk. Appeals may be possible—check with Financial Aid.

What’s at Stake? 

Certain decisions may affect: 

Impact Area	What to Watch For
Graduation Timeline	Dropping or withdrawing from required courses may delay your graduation.
Study Abroad Eligibility	Leaves, withdrawals, or GPA drops may affect eligibility.
Financial Aid	You must maintain full-time enrollment and Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
University Housing	Interruptions in enrollment or part-time status may impact housing eligibility.

 

Who Can Help? 

Concern	Contact
Graduation plan, course load, or dropping a class	Academic Advising
Emotional/medical concerns, major life disruptions	Student Outreach & Support (SOS)
Financial aid questions, unit requirements	Financial Aid Office
Academic accommodations	Disability Services

 

Need Help Choosing a Path? 

Not sure what step to take? Submit a Student Concern Report or contact the Dean of Students office. 
We’ll help you explore your options—judgment-free. 

Quick Decision Guide 

Situation	Possible Action
“I’m overwhelmed and don’t think I can finish this semester.”	Consider a Leave of Absence (if classes haven’t started) or talk to SOS.
“I’m failing a class after Add/Drop is over.”	Consider a Late Withdrawal or Incomplete. Speak to your professor and SOS.
“I dropped below 12 units. What happens now?”	Contact Financial Aid. You may be able to appeal for continued support.

 

 

• • •  

This page highlights specific resources designed to assist and support students based on their multiple identities. Students and families can find Academic Resources, Clubs, and Organizations by visiting The Office of Diversity & Inclusion webpage to get connected with resources.   

Student Engagement 

CARES  

Fish Interfaith Center 

Cross Cultural Center  

Students and families in need of advice or support around issues related to food and financial insecurity are encouraged to contact our office.  Below, we have summarized some of the most common resources available to students at Chapman:  

Chapmans Resources Related to Financial and Housing Insecurity   

• Food Pantry 
  •   Chapman food pantries provide an assortment of healthy meal options to facilitate student success at Chapman. The food pantries are located at the Orange Campus and at the Rinker Campus  
• CalFresh   
  • CalFresh is a state program that awards you up to $281 a month for groceries.  
•   Financial Aid and Scholarships   
  • Students seeking tuition assistance should consult with staff from Financial Aid.  Scholarships and other Federal Financial Aid are available.  Funds are limited based on the date of application.  
• On-Campus Jobs and Federal Work Study   
  • Student employees work in almost every department of the University.  Student Employment offers undergraduate degree-seeking students an opportunity to gain valuable work experience.  This link has an online database where departments post on campus and federal work-study jobs.  Use your Chapman username and password to search for openings.  

Often, Students experiencing significant illness or those returning from an injury or surgery may struggle to get around or attend appointments. We’ve done our best here to try to summarize some of the most common resources available to these students:  

• Disability Services works with students on a case-by-case basis, determining reasonable accommodations. Disability Services will discuss options for evaluation with the student and make appropriate referrals. Where appropriate, Disability Services can make accommodations related to classes, housing , and other areas affecting the student’s experience at Chapman. 
  •  To register for accommodations, the first step is for students to use their Chapman email to send their disability documentation to ds@chapman.edu. Once received, the student will be given information on scheduling an intake appointment. During the intake appointment they'll meet with a specialist who will approve and finalize accommodations and teach them how to utilize the accommodations at Chapman (e.g., how to renew accommodations each semester, how to notify professors, how to book seats at the Testing Center, etc.). If you have any questions, please email ds@chapman.edu or call (714) 516-4520.   
• Residence Life and First Year Experience (RLFYE) provides housing accommodations (e.g., ADA compliant room, roll in shower, etc.) for students with disabilities. Students requesting housing accommodations must fill out the Disability Accommodation Request Form, and licensed health care providers must provide a letter that meets the criteria outlined on the Disability Accommodation Request Form. All housing accommodation requests will be reviewed and evaluated by the professional staff serving on the RLFYE Accommodations Committee. If you have any questions, please email reslife@chapman.edu or call (714) 997-6603.   

Students interested in withdrawing from courses should be aware of the financial implications of doing so, including possibility needing to return financial aid Students considering withdrawal are suggested to first connect with their course faculty before making the decision.   

Interrupted Enrollment   

•  Chapman’s interrupted enrollment policy allows undergraduate students in good academic standing to take a leave for up to four consecutive semesters without having to apply for re-enrollment. We recommend that you review the full interrupted enrollment policy.  There is no official paperwork to submit for interrupted enrollment. If you are signed up to live in Chapman housing, you must contact the housing office so to either check out of housing or to cancel your housing; additionally, if you received any financial aid, it is recommended that you contact finaid@chapman.edu if you have any questions about scholarships/grants. You will need to submit a “Request for Revision” form to financial aid to have your aid reinstated upon your return.  
• Graduate students should speak with their program director to discuss a leave of absence.  

Late Withdrawal Petition  

• If students experience significant medical or family difficulties or emergency situations during the semester, students may need to withdraw from one or more classes after the withdrawal deadline. The late withdrawal petition process through the Dean of Students Office is designed for students experiencing serious medical or mental health concerns, significant family or personal emergencies, or relocation due to their military status or occupation. Please note that these petitions are requests and are not automatically granted.