Is there shame in dropping a college class to take it later?

[Flyback]

Taking 6 classes now.

Getting absolutely killed between my job and school. I want to get into a good school next year, which means keeping a higher GPA.

I can drop the class that I'm most behind in, and that will allow me to salvage my GPA in the other classes guaranteed. If I keep in the class, I'll spread myself too thin and end up suffering in the other classes, too.

I thought about dropping the class and taking it next semester when I only have 3 other classes. I'm not planning to work at my job next semester, either, so this would mean I could definitely handle it.

Is there shame in dropping a class only to take it later so that you can boost your GPA?

What if you truly "earn" it the second time around and bust your balls, doing really good work (more than your peers)... is it "fair" to drop & retake it then?

I sort of feel like this is a chump move on my part. I'm totally burnt out at this point, though.

Has anyone ever dropped a class (because you're grade was uncertain and/or it would kill your GPA) only to take it later when you could put the effort into it?

 

[akshatp]

You are making the right move. Realizing that you are behind and that it will affect your GPA is nothing to be ashamed of.

Drop the class, kick azz in the other 5 and at work, and then re-take this class at a later date. The GPA doesn't show that "W" only your transcripts do.

 

[Xyo II]

How far are you into the semester? Will it show up on your transcript?

 

[DaFOBulous1]

You should feel no reason to feel embarassed for dropping and trying it again. But I think the thing to consider is not to get into habit because next thing you know, its' your last quarter/semester and you are faced with all the hard classes you dropped before combined into one. BTW, are you at a community college?

 

[chibichanman]

Why not? If you feel like you spread yourself too thin, then do it. I won't do it if it'll result in a permanent mark on my transcript (W) for withdrawal.

I took 5 once, and took out one because the professor was poor. Dropped it 2 days later.

 

[waggy]

nope no shame in it. i have done i t once or twice.

 

[Flyback]

I guess I always feel "dirty" for dropping something because its akin to quitting. I was a high school dropout, too, so I naturally feel more dirty and low when I consider it.

The semester has 4 weeks left. I know I know, you might say to stick it out. It sounds entirely stupid, but it just ain't possible to get all the projects done by then.

It's sad because I got this far. Really, though, I'm not that "far". I'm very behind on the assignments so much so that I can't catch up.

 

[akshatp]

Originally posted by: Flyback
I guess I always feel "dirty" for dropping something because its akin to quitting. I was a high school dropout, too, so I naturally feel more dirty and low when I consider it.

The semester has 4 weeks left. I know I know, you might say to stick it out. It sounds entirely stupid, but it just ain't possible to get all the projects done by then.

It's sad because I got this far. Really, though, I'm not that "far". I'm very behind on the assignments so much so that I can't catch up.

Whether there is 4 weeks left or 4 days left, if you know you are going to get a bad grade, then you should be more ashamed for not dropping the class... At Rutgers, they had a deadline though, so you couldn't drop the class x number of weeks before the end of the semester... Don't wait too long.

 

[Xyo II]

Originally posted by: Flyback
I guess I always feel "dirty" for dropping something because its akin to quitting. I was a high school dropout, too, so I naturally feel more dirty and low when I consider it.

The semester has 4 weeks left. I know I know, you might say to stick it out. It sounds entirely stupid, but it just ain't possible to get all the projects done by then.

It's sad because I got this far. Really, though, I'm not that "far". I'm very behind on the assignments so much so that I can't catch up.

Well my college allows you to retake up to 5 classes total, so that's always an option depending on your college's requirements.

 

[Flyback]

I take it that a W on my final transcript looks horrible eh?

I talked with the people in charge and they might swing it my way so that I'm in before the "final withdrawl date" (even though its past the deadline). They are really understanding coordinators who know that I've worked like a dog to keep a 4.0 up until now.

If it turns out that I can't get out of it without marking my FINAL transcript, I might just finish it and PASS, but then take it again next semester. That way, the new mark will override the old one (I'll just do enough to get a mid-60 grade lets say--so I can still focus on other classes).

 

[Slew Foot]

1st semester of college I was getting killed in a Psychology class. Knowing that I'd need a good GPA, I switched to Pass Fail, whew!!

 

[Flyback]

Originally posted by: DaFOBulous1
You should feel no reason to feel embarassed for dropping and trying it again. But I think the thing to consider is not to get into habit because next thing you know, its' your last quarter/semester and you are faced with all the hard classes you dropped before combined into one. BTW, are you at a community college?

6 classes now.

3 classes schedule for next semester (my final one).

In other words, I'm not leaving it until the end If anything next semester will be a breeze (not going to work my job, fewer classes).

Somewhat akin to a community college BTW.

 

[Flyback]

Originally posted by: Slew Foot
1st semester of college I was getting killed in a Psychology class. Knowing that I'd need a good GPA, I switched to Pass Fail, whew!!

pass fail? what is this? an option they let you have? never heard of that one...

 

[imported_Snagle]

There's no shame in doing what's best for your future...drop it and be sure to take advantage of the extra time to excel in your other classes.

 

[iamwiz82]

Have you run the numbers to see how much it will really hurt you? IMHO, it was never worth it.

 

[Dangerer]

3 or 4 W's spread out through two years at a CC should not matter at all on a transcript. Especially if you're re-taking the course at a later date, it's easy to explain why you dropped the class. Just don't go overboard and get 10 or 20 W's and you'll be fine

 

[ngvepforever2]

Originally posted by: Flyback

Originally posted by: Slew Foot
1st semester of college I was getting killed in a Psychology class. Knowing that I'd need a good GPA, I switched to Pass Fail, whew!!

pass fail? what is this? an option they let you have? never heard of that one...

there is no shame, I haven't done myself yet but it's mainly because I pay my own tuition and if I want to retake a class I'll have pay it all over again. However, I believe that taking 6 classes a semester and having a job is overkill for anyone. There is no way you could perform well on both (unless you are a truly brilliant person). I am working along 30-36/hrs a week and taking 5 classes (3 of them are senior level CS classes) and I am praying for this hell of a semester to be over.

Regards

ng

 

[Flyback]

Actually I've re-thought my plan:

A) I can drop and get a W. It looks bad. Retake the course later. Transcript forever marked.

Vs.

B) Stay in the class. Don't aim for a 90%+, instead make a reasonable 60%+ grade. I pass the class and my transcript is intact but my GPA takes a hit. HOWEVER. I take the class next semester and the new grade will override the old one on my transcript. I still graduate with summa cum laude distinction.

That is the best way to go about it I think.

If there is a lesson I learned: Don't anticipate you can maintain your 4.0 with 6 classes and a part-time job. Evidently I still have yet to learn time management by fourth year of college .

 

[Jinru]

So your planning to transfer from a CC to a University? I hear many Universities will require you to show the classes you have retaken and then they will average out the GPA from the 2 grades and place that on your transcript. I think it's still better then getting a W, both of my sisters are going for their premed and they say only take the W when you absolutely need to.

 

[msparish]

One W on a transcript is better than doing poorly in a class. Even if you pass and retake the class, many places still see and use that poor grade.

 

[akshatp]

Originally posted by: Flyback
Actually I've re-thought my plan:

A) I can drop and get a W. It looks bad. Retake the course later. Transcript forever marked.

Vs.

B) Stay in the class. Don't aim for a 90%+, instead make a reasonable 60%+ grade. I pass the class and my transcript is intact but my GPA takes a hit. HOWEVER. I take the class next semester and the new grade will override the old one on my transcript. I still graduate with summa cum laude distinction.

That is the best way to go about it I think.

If there is a lesson I learned: Don't anticipate you can maintain your 4.0 with 6 classes and a part-time job. Evidently I still have yet to learn time management by fourth year of college .

The new grade will override the old one? At Rutgers, they took an average of the two grade. So if I got an F the first time, and an A the second time, the grade on my transcript would be C. Better check your institution's policy and also that of any college/university you plan to transfer to.

I would still take the W. Chances are, it wont transfer to your new school when and if you transfer.

 

[Flyback]

Thanks for all the advice guys and girls.

I'm going to check with the faculty on Monday.

 

[herkulease]

check school policy on grades. Also check how the grades will be posted on your transcripts.

if you plan on grad school, some programs may not care that your school didn't count that W or repeat credits towards your gpa, but for their purposes calculate it into your gpa for their purposes if it shows up on the transcript.

 

[Slew Foot]

pass/fail is an option where instead of getting a letter grade on your transcript, you simply get a pass/fail notation. You can only do it on classes that arent needed towards your major though.

 

[Babbles]

I wish I was smart enough to drop classes and try to take it easier. I too had to work thru college and still took anywhere from 15 to 18 credit hours which was just about the most dumb thing I have ever done.

I wouldn't worry about the W and I imagine in most cases it wouldn't even transfer.