What would you recommend your student to do in this situation?

Parent Cafe
1

<p>My parents don't often have opinions on this stuff, neither went to college, so its the one area in life they can't help me in much.</p>

<p>Basically, I'm doing poorly in the second sequence of a course. I did okay in the first one my first semester, and received a B. </p>

<p>This semester the best I'd probably be able to do is a C, and that's assuming I don't mess up on anything and receive the 20 points of EC. Basically the class became harder because my lab instructor is grading much more harshly and what our final grade is composed of was changed to make it more difficult. Cheating is also pretty rampant in the class. The people who have the old tests and know from friends earlier in the week exactly whats on the quiz do much better. But thats really not the point. </p>

<p>I feel like the work is a bit much. Its an intro course and I feel like the lab component is a class of itself. Don't get me wrong... I've done some difficult labs and am used to spending hours on a lab, but it usually pays off and I receive a grade that shows how much effort I put in. But thats not the case for this class. The material isn't even hard, just memorization.</p>

<p>My GPA is extremely important. Right now its a 3.5 and I'd like to raised it to a 3.6 if possible by the time I graduate in 2011. The programs I'd like to get into are very, very, competitive and gpa is important. I do have another W on my transcript from a summer course from a previous school. I shouldn't even have it, it was a giant misunderstanding but the registrar there is extremely difficult to deal with and even professors didn't like them (again not the point).</p>

<p>If I do withdraw, I'd take it during the summer, along with an internship. It would be at another school and I believe I'd be able to do well in it (based upon what others have said who have taken it there). Because I'd have a lot more free time this semester I believe I'd be able to get my other grades up to A's or A-'s and join a club and volunteer, things I haven't been able to do because this class eats up all of my free time.</p>

<p>On a side note, I've been becoming increasingly depressed. This class kills my motivation for all other things and its literally making me very sad. </p>

<p>Anyway, would this look bad to do? I feel like a W would be better than a C. A C isn't even guaranteed. I could get a C- which wouldn't even count towards my major or grad school program and I'd have to repeat it.</p>

<p>I'll be talking to my advisor soon to, but just wanted some opinions. (:</p>

2

<p>SOad, I don’t normally offer many opinions but I read your note and have one.
I vote for the drop. There is something to be said for sticking it out but in this case, it seems you have more to gain by taking the W, particularly as you state you will do better in your other classes. My best to you…sometimes it is just not worth beating your head against the wall for so little gain. This is a lemon methinks.</p>

3

<p>If you want to go to grad school, I don’t know the consequences of a drop, but like the poster above, without any other information, it sounds like W is the better option.</p>

<p>If you HAVE to take this class, maybe you can try again next term, with a different prof. Or, this can be a sign that maybe you should major in something else.</p>

<p>There is no shame in not being good at everything.</p>

4

<p>I vote for withdrawing and taking it when you have more time to devote to it. It sounds like this class is hurting your performance in your other classes as well as making it difficult to have a life outside of class. If you can cut your losses with a withdrawal, that is a better option.</p>

5

<p>It sounds like this class is jeopardizing your mental health. I would certainly support your dropping it, if you were my kid. You mentioned that you will probably get more out of your other classes if you aren’t worried about this one, and I think that’s an important point.</p>

6

<p>Its a science course, but a memorization course more so. Its anatomy and I actually am fascinated by how the body works, but the course seems so divided. The lab and lecture are so different, that I’m constantly stressing about one or the other. I feel like I’m taking 21 credits rather than 17 sometimes. I know I could easily have an A- to A in my organic chemistry course if I didn’t neglect to study for it because I’m worrying about this other course (I have a high B+ right now).</p>

<p>But at the same time I feel like a failure for withdrawing. There have been classes that I struggled with (physics for instance) but I put in the work, got tutored, etc and always came out with at least a B. If I were just going out into the work force a C wouldn’t bother me, but I’d be so upset if this class ruined my chances at going to a grad school. </p>

<p>This class is all I literally think about, day and night, while I’m studying for chemistry, walking my dogs. Its bizarre, I don’t know why this is becoming such a big deal to me.</p>

<p>I truly appreciate all the advice!</p>

7

<p>S0ad</p>

<p>Withdrawing from a course is an acceptable action at all the universities that I know. Colleges believe it’s in students best interests to have the option.Therefore I believe they will not turn around and hold it against you for using it. People take W’s for a variety of reasons. </p>

<p>You have presented a well thought out argument for wanting to take this class at a different time. You only have one other W so it is obvious that this is not a habit for you to esccape the frustration of a difficult situation.</p>

<p>Talk to your advisor and the teacher of the course and then take the W if you still believe it is in your best interest.</p>

<p>Good Luck to you.</p>

8

<p>My daughter was in a similar situation a year ago. She mistakenly took a high level art history course for grade instead of doing it for P/F. She was spending more time on this elective than on her major(s). By the time she realized she was going to get a B- or C+ in the course, it was too late for her to drop it without a W on her transcript. At the time, she asked her advisor and classmates, and I also posed the question on CC. The consensus was it was better to get a C than to get a W. A W leaves a lot to people’s imagination because it could mean a D or F, whereas a C is still a passing grade and it could be explained away. Moster employers (not as familiar with grad schools) would understand and respect a student for slugging it out on a difficult course. We understand that not every course is going to be easy for everyone. One poster who replied back to me was a pre-med and she was struggling with a bio or chem course, she decided not to take a W. She had to explain that grade at her medical school interview, and she was admitted. My daughter ended up spending most of her time on the art history course, went to every office hour, and was able to pull off a B. It was her worst grade so far, but she would tell you that it was one of her favorite classes.</p>

<p>I think you should speak with your advisor and get his/her opinion on how grad schools would look at a W on the transcript.</p>

<p>Just a little bit of advise here - if you are doing well in other classes, don’t let this one class define you. If this is a class you need for your program, and no matter how hard you try you can’t seem to do well, then maybe you should rethink about the program (career). In life, there is not just one way you could be successful. If you couldn’t be a doctor, maybe you could be something else. Life is a long road, no need to be stuck at something you don’t enjoy or need to be depressed about.</p>

9

<p>I’d go the W, and take the class another time (during summer) or at a different school.</p>

10

<p>SOad, it sounds like it would be such a relief for you to drop this course. You know you can take it during the summer under better circumstances and I believe, if the W comes up in the future, you can also explain it. Most of us have taken a course that was a nightmare and wasn’t the experience it should have been, due to the professor or unreasonable assignments/tests. I’m with the majority here who seems to be saying - DROP IT. It sounds like it will make a huge difference in your morale and ability to be successful in your other courses. Without parents to advise you in this situation, I’m glad that you feel you can turn to us as cyber mentors. Of course, you should run it by your Advisor, too! Happy Studying!</p>

<p>P.S. Does your school have a “rate the professors” type site? My daughter has used it to help pick her classes at her school and it has worked pretty well. I do realize, however, that Labs can be a toss up!</p>

11

<p>Another vote for the drop. You’ll be better prepared to take it over the summer, and it will help your other classes. Will it only be a W at this point? I don’t know how your college works, but I remember at my college after some point in the semester it became a WP (withdraw passing) or a WF (withdraw failing). A WP wouldn’t look too bad.</p>

<p>Also, my D has gone thru 2 bouts with depression (both brief, thank heavens). I’d have done anything to lower her stress level when she was dealing with that. If you think dropping will help, do it. Also get yourself over to the counseling center before things get worse. They might be able to help you to feel better sooner.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

12

<p>Since you are stressed out by this class and are feeling depressed, make an appointment at the student health center to talk to a counselor. They can help you with the decision making process and with ways to help you maintain your self-esteem and confidence regardless of whether you keep or drop the class. Good luck. Don’t mess around with any level of depression- better to spend an hour or two with a counselor than find yourself falling into a deep depression. IMHO- one W on a transcript will not keep a qualified candidate out of even the best schools.</p>

13

<p>Drop the class, UNLESS dropping it means that you would lose your status as a full-time student. </p>

<p>Whether this will happen depends on how many credits you have left after you drop it.</p>

<p>Losing your full-time status can have serious consequences, the most important of which is that you might become ineligible to be on your parents’ health insurance.</p>

<p>An academic advisor at your college can tell you whether you will lose your full-time status if you drop the course. If you’re at a college where courses have traditional credits (of the type where you need 120 to graduate), you probably need 12 credits to be a full-time student. But check with your college.</p>

14

<p>Thanks again for the comments. I think I will take the W unless my advisor is really against it.</p>

<p>I have had rounds of depression before. I’ve been pretty good in college, but since my dog passed away last year I never really bounced back from being sad. I kind of just never feel happy anymore (empty kind of), and the fact that I’m doing poorly is just turning that into depression, and I really don’t want to go there again! I do dislike the teaching style of both professors (for lab and lecture). There is only one professor for the course, so the ratemyprofessor site doesn’t really work there, though its been extremely useful for other classes.</p>

<p>I was also recently told I had IBS that is probably triggered by stress and maybe some foods. Of course I get stressed whenever I have a test or lab due for this course and feel so physically sick that I don’t want to get out of bad. Thats certainly not helpful. I’ll have 13 credits if I drop though, and I think if asked I can explain that it was just a bad time in the year to take it (with internship interviews, prepping for the GRE, attending open houses for potential schools, etc) and that I thought I would get the most out of it and my other courses if I took it over the summer (which I do think).</p>

<p>I have until April 9 to get a W, and after that its a WP/WF</p>

15

<p>My daughter had to withdraw from a course this term for medical reasons. She was actually in the hospital during the regular withdrawal time. She took the W anyway…no way to make up the work at all. She will starte it again next term. </p>

<p>I think it all depends on the course, how far behind you really are, and your own ability to make up the work and slug it out.</p>

16

<p>It seems to me that the bottom line is learning. Your other classes and mental health seem to be sacrificed and from the sounds of it Anatomy is probably fundamental to your major. I work in a health profession an in my professional school Gross Anatomy was the first course, and as I recall the only one we took over the summer. (We’re talking over 30 years ago so if there were more classes they weren’t memorable). I had never taken an anatomy class prior to this one and I can still recall that is took everything I had to work on this one class. You will be doing yourself a favor to take this class in a situation that you can really learn the material and the summer seems like a much better option. If you are working in a health field knowing this well will really make a difference. There are some classes where you can visit with a prof during their office hours to gain understanding of the material. In my experience anatomy is just read it, visualize it, and remember it. IMO you will do yourself a favor to take the W. I can’t tell you about grad admissions but if you end up doing well it should speak for itself.</p>