Donna Smith's College Career: Case Study

It seems as if Donna Smith has hit a bump in her college career. She was the first in her family to attend college and enrolled in the University of South Carolina to become a doctor. She grew up in a small, rural, town and was of course the top of her class and student body president. However, when she arrived at the university everything didn’t go as planned. From what she says Donna is facing a lot of problems. Primary problems include her grades, getting her property stolen, and being emotionally sick. Donna is also debating on her major. She has several classes that she isn’t doing well in and the way she scheduled some aren’t working for her. Her laptop was stolen while she was at the library, so she wont be able to write papers for the English class, which she’s struggling in. In addition, she’s homesick and lonely; she has started taking long naps and staying in her dorm more and now she’s debating whether she wants to drop out. She needs to figure out what is best for her; rather to stay in school or go to one closer to home. In addition, she needs to figure out her choices: giving up or
Because she isn’t doing well in her classes she could potentially lose scholarships. Her advisor can help her change her schedule around and adviser her on what is the best path for her, as well as help her change her major. I would also encourage her to go to several supplemental instruction classes, where she can get extra help in her classes. The next thing I would do is visit the USC police to see about recovering my laptop and try to get a new one. After, I would visit the writing center where I could get help with writing my papers for the English class. Then I would advise her to take a trip to the counselor’s office. There she could talk about all the things that are bothering her and maybe be referred to some groups that’ll help with the loneliness. After all that a call home wouldn’t