Dropping a Course...

Student Lounge College Life
1

<p>I just realize that I may have to drop a course. I am already taking a full load that requires two long research papers (plus preparing a paper for a national conference), and I do not want a C on my transcript. I got my statistics midterm back, and my grade was a 53%. I told my professor about the situation, and he wants me to stay in the course because by his observations of my exam, he said I did not study enough. There is one thing: I must get at least an A- on the final exam in order for me to get at least a B in the class. I think it's very unrealistic because the material will only get harder. I must study everyday for this one class. It is a required course, so I need it in order to graduate.</p>

<p>Everyone: Drop or Stick Around?</p>

2

<p>ask your professor if he can drop the lowest test score. If that not works, then drop the class.</p>

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<p>Morgan, there are only two exams (final and midterm). He grades our homework, which everyone gets 100%s as free points. They are worth up to 1/4 of our grade.</p>

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<p>There are quite a few things to consider, and here are some: how many credits you are taking and will this set you back for needed credits or financial aid (full-time student status), is it a prereq for something you need to take soon, if you studied more could you bring up your grade enough, and do you have the time and motivation to study more. </p>

<p>It might be something to talk to an advisor about too. If you can take it another semester with no penalties, and have more time to devote, then I don't see why not.</p>

5

<p>can you still drop it or will you get a 'W'?</p>

<p>not that a W is that bad, but they shouldn't become habits.</p>

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<p>Soccer, I will get a W. I will need to take the class anyways.</p>

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<p>If the class is a requirement in your major, then keep it. If you can at least pull a B or C in there, then you should be fine. I know you said that you don't want C's, but would you rather have to go through it all again another semester?</p>

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<p>Adconard, if I get a C in Statistics, I can kiss graduate school good-bye. No professor or program wants a student who did poorly in stats.</p>

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<p>That sounds kind of ridiculous to me. Unless it was grad school for math/statistics maybe. Why would they reject you for one C if the rest of your grades are pretty good?</p>

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<p>It's been awhile since I've been in stats, but I recall that after the basic concepts, a lot of the material was not necessarily harder, but was just building on a theme. After the first half (or slightly less) of the class, the trick became to know when to use which stuff rather than adding new, harder material. If you feel like you can pick up the material that you didn't understand for the last test, I suspect that you wont have as hard a time with the second half of the course.</p>

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<p>I think tenisghs has commented before in other posts on already having a couple C's? And some W's?? I can't really remember exactly, so she will have to clarify. Maybe that's the concern here. 53% is an F. The midterm, do you mean a 53% on the actual midterm exam or is that 53% your total grade at midterm (ie: the exam and whatever homework and other assignments have been graded thus far combine to a 53%??)??</p>

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<p>Bluealien, I got a 53% on the midterm, but I have had 100%s on my homework (he does grade our homework, which is like 25% of our grade). He wants me to stay in the class because he believes that if I study more and concentrate harder to prepare for the final, I would do much better to bring my final grade in the B range. It's a required course so he wants me to get it out of the way. Of course I will have to study much harder.</p>

<p>The point is that I didn't study enough for this midterm because I have had so many other things in my life that have made me extremely busy (papers, conferences, leadership roles, job interviewing). I blame myself for not studying properly. Now, I need to know if I should even stay in the class or wait til next year in my senior year to take it again.</p>

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<p>Stay in it. You're doing well with the homework. You still got a good shot at it.</p>

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<p>Thanks adconard. I will cry if I get a C in this course. If this happens, this will be my 4th 'C' on my college transcript. :(</p>

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<p>Really depends on your overall stress and other courses. If you're dying and the course isn't making your life any better get rid of it. You can always take it over the summer at a community college.</p>

16

<p>ehhh nothing wrong with a gentlemen's c.</p>

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<p>Mac, I'm a junior. And I can only take statistics in my school, which is offered once a year.</p>

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<p>I have a similar dilemma...I am a freshman in engineering and I am taking 18 hours this semester...I am doing well in all of my classes except physics. This is a weeder class at my school, about 15% of people fail out of it and switch majors. I have a 60% in the class right now after taking the first midterm. I have one more midterm and a final left. This class is also a lot of work as there is something due every day of the week. I have decided to get a tutor for this class...but I don't know if it is worth it....I may not be able to take this class over the summer..so I will have to take it again...if I drop it with a "W"...I am very lost right now...pleas give me your advice and suggestions</p>

19

<p>Also I had a "W" in a class last semester...dunno if this will look good to grad schools or employers</p>

20

<p>I went through the same thing with organic chem last semester. I toughed it out, though. </p>

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