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Supporting Your Students

Students can have difficulties in the classroom as the result of academic or personal challenges as well as circumstances at Penn, in Philadelphia or more globally. As teachers, we can help students to better meet those challenges, both by connecting them with Penn resources and though the choices we make in our classes. The pages described here offer suggestions and resources to help instructors provide that support for our students.

Strategies to Help Students Stay on Track When They Must Miss Class

Due to illness or other circumstances in their lives, some students will need to miss classes on occasion. Planning how you will approach missed classes and assignments will make it easier for you to address the unexpected and for students to continue to learn in your course.

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Resources to Support Your Students

Penn has a wealth of offices to support students in academic and personal difficulties. Letting students know about the appropriate office, or consulting it yourself, can help them with those difficulties.

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Using Structure and Flexibility to Support Students

Students often experience stressors and competing demands for their time that can interfere with learning. A course that combines structure and flexibility gives students clear steps to take on a regular basis to succeed, while also enabling students to continue learning when life is most complicated.

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Teaching in Response to Upsetting Events

In the wake of traumatic international, national, or Penn events, students may be angry, saddened, or anxious. Instructor responses to such events often matter deeply to students.

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