A student was heard to remark, "Even though I am certain to fail this course, I cannot drop it since it is too

Question

A student was heard to remark, "Even though I am certain to fail this course, I cannot drop it since it is too late to get back my tuition.

Answer 1

Well, what makes him SOO certain that he'll fail the course in the first place? You never know what the end brings, do ya? But I guess if he's that sure, then I think he should drop the course and not worry about the tuition fees. I mean, what's more important, have a stained academic record with an F on your transcript or do something to earn the money to re-take the class again?

I'd drop it if I were that student.

Answer 2

The above answers are decent but do not take into account the basic economic principle of a sunk cost.

The idea is that economic decisions should not be made while taking into account costs and payments that have already been made, but only considering current and future costs as consequences of a decision.

In your quote example, the student should not decide whether or not to drop the class based on the fact that he's already paid for tuition. If he's already paid, the decision to drop the course will have no effect on that money, it is gone. However, the student still can spend the time that he would be in the class doing other things, such as working (earning more money) or hanging out with friends (leisure time). If the course is not worth it, regardless of what he's already paid, then the student should not take it.

Whether or not dropping out of a class or "giving up" is the "right thing to do" is economically irrelevant; it is normative economics, not positive economics.

Hope that helps.

Answer 3

I'm not sure what you are asking. There are posted dates for getting refunds on college or other tuition and yes, after a certain date, a student can't get back tuition. If you thinking only negative thoughts about a difficult course you will make it a great deal harder to do well. I've been a very good Spanish student for three years, in college, but my current course is tougher and my average isn't as high as I would like. I started doing more homework and will have a group study session for our second test two days prior to the test. Giving up doesn't work but asking for help is hard for lots of people. Since I was terrible at asking for help as a younger college student (I am now a 49 year old full-time college student) I work as a tutor to help students!

Answer 4

Another way to interpret the remark is that there is still some value in taking a course even if you fail, but not enough to justify the tuition cost. The purpose of school is to learn, not just to accumulate credits.

Answer 5

they shouldn't be thinking that they are ceratin to fail a course. if it weren't for school, how would you get smart enough to make enough money to put food on the table three times a day, a full fridge, roof over your head, good clothes on your back, hot water and a warm bed every night? many people don't have that. if you don't go to school, what's the point?

Answer 6

What's the question?