I’m second semester freshman year student. First semester, I got a D in Chem and an F in chem lab. Retaking those classes and I have an A in lab and a B in chem and it will stay like that. Now, I’m struggling in physics and calculus. I think it is because I’m overloaded with credits (18 plus a lab that doesn’t count). I’m looking for electrical engineering (I won’t change or give up). Does retaking classes look bad? I wanted to drop so it wouldn’t affect my gpa but that’s not an option. How would the school view me as it would be 3-4 classes retaken in 2 semesters. I go to Penn State incase someone has the same experience. Also, would 5 years in undergrad look bad?
5 years in undergraduate school is fine = not a problem.
Overloading on classes only makes your problem worse. Take a number of credits that you can do well with. It is not a race.
My very well employed daughter, a Penn State alum, took 5 years to finish in the engineering school. It has not held her back and never looked bad.
Here are tipss:
Get help!
you can’t drop, but talk to your adviser about withdrawing. Although failing some courses and retaking them and withdrawing from others may indicate that engineering isn’t for you.
There is no time limit on getting a degree. MANY people do not complete a degree in four years time. Think about kids who pay their own way, mature students, people who take gap years to work or travel, unexpected family health crises, and so on. No, it doesn’t look bad to take longer to get a degree. Bad grades in too many classes does look bad. If at all possible, withdraw from a course immediately. Next time, don’t bite off more than you can chew.
Agree with the above posters. The only thing I have to add is to consider taking a class over the summer session. It might be easier for you to focus on one particular class alone when you don’t have the pressure of balancing many classes. That way you can continue to knock off credits and use all 12 months of the year.