When to Drop a College Class
Withdrawing From a Course Should Follow Serious Communication
Oct 24, 2009
By mid-semester students are often confronted with the decision to drop one or more courses because of low grades. In most cases, midterm grades reflect at most two tests, quizzes, and writing assignments. Some midterm grades are based solely on a midterm exam. Major research paper assignments generally fall in the second part of the semester but their overall value often represents an ability to rehabilitate a grade. Dropping a course should only be a viable option after all factors are considered.
Questions to Ask Before Dropping a Class
- What is the last day to drop without incurring a penalty?
- Will dropping the class affect financial aid like scholarships that often require minimum course loads?
- Can the current grade be raised by pending assignments?
- Do policies allow withdrawal after the cut-off date if listed as withdraw-pass or withdraw-fail?
- Has the situation been discussed with advisers and counselors?
Before dropping a class, students should discuss the situation with both their adviser and the class professor. In most cases, mid-semester drops carry no tuition refunds. Thus, time becomes an investment and if future assignments offer the prospect of grade recovery, the best option might be to remain in the class.
Dropping a Class May Require Retaking it in the Future
For many college students, taking required, core classes toward a particular program major, dropping a class may be as risky as rolling the dice. Another professor might in fact be “easier,” yet the opposite is true as well. If students realistically believe that the expectations are reasonable and doable, and if it is possible to raise a low score to an acceptable one in the second part of the semester, drops should be avoided.
Deciding not to drop a class may mean changes in study habits, test preparation, and devoting more time to the class. Much of this can be accomplished by meeting with the professor and asking for an honest evaluation. If the professor recommends against dropping, focus on specific areas of improvement suggested by the professor.
Communicate Before Lifting the Burden
The greatest tragedy related to course withdrawals relates to the general lack of communication and guidance from advisers and counselors. Too often, this is the fault of students that, in a moment of determined emotion, drop a class to ease the burdens associated with “a bad experience.” Many colleges and universities allow students to drop simply by going on-line to their student accounts.
Dropping a class may be in the best interest of the student. Perhaps the student took a heavy course load or filled the semester with difficult classes. Freshmen particularly, despite counseling at registration periods, have little experience in building a schedule that works. There are legitimate reasons for dropping a class, but these reasons must be balanced by all other factors.
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