Consider dropping a class? Read this first

To drop or not to drop.

If you find yourself asking this age-old question during your first week of class, you are not alone. Plenty of students find themselves pondering this option during Phase II, aka the add/drop period. To avoid becoming a ramblin’ mess rather than a Ramblin’ Wreck during this time, we recommend asking the following questions before taking action towards either option.

Reasons to stay -Things to consider

Although no student should put too much pressure on themselves, the decision of dropping a class should not be taken lightly. Depending on your situation, dropping a class could result in financial consequences and affect your college experience down the road.

Will this affect my finances?

Direct Student loans and most scholarships come with strings attached regarding your course load. Our Provost Scholarship, for example, recipients must be enrolled in 12 credit hours per semester. Review your financial aid award notice carefully before committing to any changes that could result in financial aid cancellation. This will cause you to have an outstanding account balance in the Bursar’s office and, if unpaid, will ultimately result in your classes being cancelled for the term.

Will you need this class later?

While your college experience may be an exciting time in your life, you don’t want to prolong it. Dropping a class that you will need later can disrupt your 4-year plan, especially if the course is a prerequisite for a future class. Consult with your academic advisor or view our course catalog to prepare your class schedule for the long-term. Keep in mind, some courses may only be offered at certain times of the year.

Has the deadline passed?

This is a simple one, if it is after 4 p.m., January 10, 2020, then the answer is yes. Don’t panic, there is still time to withdraw from a class if you feel it is too difficult but withdrawing from a class after the add/drop deadline will result in a W on your transcript. Too many W’s on your transcripts could be damaging to your educational and financial record. Thus, you should take the decision to withdraw seriously and keep in mind the withdrawal deadline, March 11, 2020.

Reasons to go – Things to consider

Not knowing anybody in class, disliking the teacher, or having to wake up earlier than you’d like are not recommended reasons to drop a class. However, it is understandable to have doubts about your first few days and answering the following questions will help you decide if you should change your schedule or not.

Are you having trouble coping with your schedule?

There is a reason every class has a syllabus - to let you know what’s coming. To call it a warning might sound ominous, but if you find yourself worrying that you’ve bitten off more than you can chew, then you should consider it as such. If one class looks like it will take attention away from other courses that are more important, then you may need to change your schedule.

Do you need this class?

Unless you plan on competing with George P Burdell for most courses attended (don’t get any ideas), you shouldn’t take a class you don’t need. Maybe you signed up for a class only to later learn it isn’t part of your curriculum, or you realized an elective is a little (or a lot) more work than you anticipated. Whatever the reason, if you don’t need it and/or can’t handle the workload, then prioritize and make the changes needed.

Are you ready for this class?

While many of the more challenging courses require perquisites, you might find yourself struggling to keep up in the basic classes. If this is the case, then you must ask yourself another question: Do you just need a refresher on the material or does the work seem impossible? If you think you just need a little help, then make an appointment with one of our free tutors in Clough. However, if you are feeling overwhelmed by the course work in a certain class, then dropping it might be the best option.

Every student’s story is different, and under unique circumstances, further consideration is needed. You know what you can handle as a student and should trust your gut on how to put your best foot forward in this new semester.