Should I drop a class?

Question

I am taking six classes. There is this class that I feel like I am way behind in and its alot of work. I know I can try to catch up in that class but that will mean my other classes will sufer the consequences. I have so much work to do that I've scheduled myself to study all day everday and just have 40 min to eat but I still won't have enough time for my other class. Plus I've been getting really sick, its hard. I'm not sure to drop it because it'll look bad on my transcript. It will be my fifth class dropped and what if I don't get into any good universities (I'm in a community college right now) Any advice or shared experince will be appreciated. Many thanks!

a W will appear in my transcript.

Answer 1

Your dropped classes show up on your transcipts??? I would check that out. Unless it is very late in the semester, your dropped classes should not show up on your transcripts at all. I would drop it anyway. A bad grade in that class, or in a different class because you are trying to catch up in the first class will look WORSE on your transcripts than a drop in a different class. And next time, try to realize that you are in over your head and drop the class early. I would look into whether or not the dropped class will show up on your transcripts, however. None of mine ever did, as long as I dropped them early.

Answer 2

Yes, at this point in the semester, it WOULD appear on your transcript. It would be "withdrawing" from a class, not dropping it. That said, a W or two on your transcript will not kill you. I started a class once that turned out to be much more work than it was worth, but by the time I realized it, it was too late to drop it without the W. The consequences? I had a great semester, did well in my other classes, and that is it. NO other consequences. I am now, several years later, working on my Ph.D. in history with a full fellowship. If you have W's coming out of the wazoo on your transcript, it says something about you. If you have one or two, it means absolutely nothing except that you decided you didn't want to take the class and missed the deadline to drop it for free. La-ti-da. I don't think it will make any difference. Six classes is a lot. Go ahead and withdraw if you think it will help. Good luck!

Answer 3

This is how one of my counselors put it, if you get a W, no one can really question it, there could be sooooo many different reasons to do it. I have 3 or 4 W's on my transcripts, and i got into a great 4 year jesuit university, and its my third school so far. I think you should drop the class... if it is causing you to do worse in your other classes why continue. This actually happened to me... i was struggling to keep up with the work in a class, and ended up just dropping it and doing better in my other classes. I can't believe you are taking six classes to begin with, that is a heavy load even for community college. You need to eat food, you need to sleep, and if you don't do that you will continue to get sick, which will just make you end up missing your classes anyways. Don't worry about your transcipt, a W won't hurt you. If you have already dropped 5 classes, you should really look at why you are taking so many classes at once to begin with. Good luck!

Answer 4

I had the same issue this semester. I was taking 18+ hours and ended up dropping my history class because I was so stressed out. If you feel like you are overwhelmed by everything, then drop the class. Its not going to ruin your life or your transcript if you drop the class. Universities, professors and family are usually understanding when it comes to classes dropped. You never know what life is going to throw at you, and you might think you can handle six classes but once you are put in that situation you realize its too much. And knowing that you cant handle six classes is smart thinking. I would focus on the other classes and maybe make that one class up during the summer if at all possible. Because as most students know, once your behind in a class its nearly impossible to catch up. Universities are more interested in your GPA then the classes you drop. Just be aware that maybe your limit needs to be five classes and no more. And mix them up, try to balance your schedule to make it more do able. But dont worry about the class, if your gut feeling is to drop it, then drop it. Good Luck!

Answer 5

You mention that this would be your fifth class dropped, which is sort of telling. According to your schedule you have little free time during a 24 hour period. This makes me think that you should have had some counselling in setting up your program.

Some people are better equipped than others for heavy loads. Perhaps you are not one of them, or have just been a little over-optimistic about your own abilities. There is no shame in that, but it is something that you MUST learn to deal with. Continuous failure in this area can create more problems than most people can handle--leading, in many instances, to dropping out.

If you agree with with what I have said, then I think it is time to seriously restructure your programs. You do not mention money, so I am assuming there is no great hardship in that area. Pace your work-load to your abilities--far better to take an extra year than to give up and lose everything. Your years studying should create mostly pleasant memories. I don't you will look back with such affection if you continue your present course. Good luck. I hope my suggestions have merit for you.

Answer 6

do your dropped classes show on your transcript? If you drop them soon enough in the term, they should not show up. this will not hurt your transcript. if you are dropping after the drop date and are taking a "W" or whatever they call a withdraw, then it does not look good. if you've had four already, perhaps you should do a better job of realistically planning your schedule. It sounds like you are overestimating what you can handle when you dign up for classes.

Answer 7

I am a little concerned about your health. I used to attend a community college last semester but I got completely stressed out so I am taking a semester off. Even if you drop it and it is still okay to drop it without a "withdrawl" showing on your transcript you can always go back to it and get a good grade. You need time for yourself and your schooling

Answer 8

Drop the class, it will not only be easier when you take it again, but the extra time will do wonders to lower you stress. No one will ever know why you dropped it but you, and as far as I know, it will never effect you trying to go post-graduate degrees.

Answer 9

do not drop the class

Answer 10

you sound like you have already made your decision, just drop the class, it will make life a whole lot easier.