On August 24, something uncanny happens – an opportunity is lost. It’s the last day students are able to drop a course and receive a full refund.
This trend continues weekly, making September 14 the last day students can expect to receive any sort of financial compensation for a dropped class. It all happens rather quickly, and many remain unaware of the need for prompt judgment when it comes to deciding whether or not they should stay enrolled in a particular course.
This time last year, I was the student that took too long to make the decision.
I took Pre-Calculus, which fulfilled a UCC requirement, but was a higher level class than I needed as a journalism and English major. To make a long story short, the course load was daunting, I was worried about my GPA, and I considered dropping. However, I considered my options for too long and missed the refund deadline.
So how can students decide, in a timely manner, whether or not a class is right for them? I believe some basic logic is in order.
Firstly, do you need the class?
No? Drop it.
But let’s say you DO need the class. If it’s a part of the university’s curriculum or your major’s requirements, you probably have to take it regardless of whether or not you actually like or think you need the course.
So don’t drop it.
However, you can also look to see if there are any other classes you can take within the UCC or your major’s curriculum that will fulfill the same requirements but interest you more.
If that’s the case, you can drop.
If you do end up dropping a class, where do you go from there? Can you afford losing those credit hours? If not, check if there are other classes available that fit your schedule and fill a requirement – or at least interest you a lot. However, make sure you’re sure you do indeed want those classes or you’ll end up back at the beginning, possibly wishing you were in the class you had originally dropped.
What I suggest is, unless you’re losing sleep over the issue, buckle down and take the class. If you’re like me, you’re going to “think long and hard” about it, lose your money and waste your time – probably not the best path. Hindsight is 20/20… but I digress.
And you don’t want to have to pick up a summer class. Those aren’t fun.
But if you’re honestly worried to death for your GPA or mental health, then drop. But don’t hesitate and end up on the losing end.