Father past away before the semester started. Should I take less classes or try my best?

College Confidential Community
1

Hello,

I go to a community college in California and ran into a situation and want some opinions on what I should do. My father passed away earlier this month a few weeks before the semester started. I was enrolled in three classes, but ended up crashing two classes (dropping one of them). Also, I am volunteering at a biotechnology lab. I do not know how I feel about this semester. I have to take math for sure just because Biology requires a lot of math and the other classes could be put on hold. I am at the moment taking Art History, Communication Public Speaking, Math, and Biological Anthropology.

Anyone ran into similar situations? Any advice? Could I explain my situation to the university why I did bad this semester if I end up doing bad?

My goals are to transfer to one of the three schools; University of California Riverside, University of California Santa Barbara, and University of California Davis for Biology or Biological Anthropology. Not excluding CSU’s.

2

I am sorry for your loss. Losing your father is traumatic at any age. No one will fault you for dropping a couple of classes. If you can only manage one class, , so be it.

Take the semester to collect yourself and get back up to speed next semester.

Good luck.

3

I can only tell you what I would expect from my kids if I were to crossover. I would want them to do the best they could to “succeed”. Honor me by simply moving forward to be happy adults. What would your dad say to you? That is what you attempt to do. Rarely are there any words that help one feel better in these times but since you asked.

4

What is the impact long term on any financial aid or requirements on degree progress? You probably should go in and talk to an advisor at the CC. My instincts say drop one or two of your classes if the long term impact isn’t too severe. But get in ASAP to talk to someone about the implications.