Should I drop a class?

Question

Anyway, I'm a college student taking an AutoCad class. Just introductory stuff and none of it real taxing on my brain. However, the professor just keeps handing out craploads of homework when I don't have the time to get it all done. I'm rather far behind in turning in homework and I really don't know what kind of grade I've got in there at the moment...probably not very good.

I talked to a friend of mine who took the same class. He said he knows AutoCad and still failed the class becuase the prof just kept handing out homework. I know most of the people in the class are keeping up (I think), but then again several of them are stupid freshmen who mommy and daddy pays for everything and have the time to do their work and get it in on time with the time to spare to get wasted.

So, should I just try to turn in whatever homework I can and see what happens? Or do I drop the class and take it next semester with my friend who is taking it (again) also. If I drop it, it won't hurt my GPA (wich is a good thing since my scholarships rely on a high GPA).

On the other hand, the semester is halfway through....but just because of this one class I'm behind in all my other classes too. I figured if I drop it I lose the money (but my scholarships paid for it anyway) but I can keep my grades up in my other classes. And I'd have enough time to work, get all my homework done, and get enough sleep to make it to my other classes on time.

So....what do y'all think? Drop or not?

Ok, I if I take it next semester it would be with a different professor who doesnt hand out overly-huge amounts of homework. So...I wouldn't be in the same situation next semester.

Answer 1

Take it next semester. Your scholarship pays for it. It's just one subject. If you flunk it, it may affect your scholarship as a whole.

Answer 2

How many credit hours are you taking? Dropping a class may make it so you aren't a full time student. This may be a bad idea because your scholarships might require you to be a full time student. If you aren't a full time student, then you'll lose scholarships and other sources of financial aid. You might not be able to live on campus, and you could set yourself up for not graduating in four years. Many scholarships carry a stipulation that you have to finish in four years or you don't get any more money.

Is this class a prerequisite for anything? If it is, then dropping will hold you back from taking those higher level classes.

Another reason to be careful is that people that drop one class often drop more. One W on your transcript isn't bad, but 5 show employers and grad schools that you don't like to finish what you start.

Next, dropping a class because its hard is a bad idea. Your classes are only going to get harder. While this class might not be related to your professional interests, it will still give you study skills and time management skills that you might need in other class.

The only good reason you've presented for dropping this class is that it is effecting your grades in other classes. If you don't think any of the problems I've mentioned will apply to you, then and only then is dropping a good idea for you.

To make this decision, there are a few more things you need to do. First, talk to your professor to see if there are any arrangements to make to make up for your late work. Even the most strict appearing professors can be flexible. Despite contrary belief, professors don't get bonuses if they hand out lots of Fs. If talking with your professor doesn't work, talk to an advisor in your school to see what the possible ramifications for dropping are.

If there is one thing you should not do, you should not wait until the end of the semester and drop then. This may have worked 30 years ago, but universities got wise to this trick and most have implemented a grade of WF standing for withdrawal while failing. This might not be true for your school, but you'd need to talk to an advisor to find out.

Answer 3

If you're on scholarships and not working you have plenty of time to keep up. Guess you're one of those stupid ppl you refer to.

As for the class, organize your time better, talk to the teacher and find out what grade you're getting before you drop but if you are so disorganized that this is screwing up your other classes then drop the class. And btw there are other teachers. If you don't know which ones are good then ask ppl if they've had so and so for a teacher and what they thought of how tough they were homework and all that other junk. Unless you want to keep repeating your pattern.

Answer 4

Sounds like you wish to drop it to take it with your friend.
One plus to doing this is that You will already have some assignments completed in advance but you will still face the same problem. You will still be in the time boat you are in now unless you do some of the work ahead of the next classes offered.
You have scholarships, don't waste them.

Answer 5

If you drop it now and then take it again next semester, you will be in the same predicament. So you are just putting off the problem.

I say suck it up, give up some sleep, work harder, catch up on your other work and comes the end of the semester you will be done with it.

Answer 6

Wait until a week or so before the last day to drop the class and find out your grade at that time... who knows there might be a big curve ... REMEMBER THE LAST DAY TO DROP A CLASS... do not let it pass

Answer 7

I'd vote for dropping, EXCEPT - you'll have to take it again and that's a drag too

Answer 8

I would drop, though a W on your transcript won't be great, it's better than an F.

Answer 9

If its going to drag your GPA down, I vote.....drop it.