I’m in a 1 credit class that’s a conversation supplement to my Arabic class. It’s incredibly fast paced compared to the 101 class it’s paired with, and I can’t keep up at all. I was almost in tears today because I just can’t remember phrases after they are said to me one time. In the main 3 credit hour course we haven’t even finished going through the alphabet! Most of the other people in the conversation class seem to have already taken Arabic, while I’ve had zilch.
The point is, I missed the date to drop without a W on my transcript. Should I withdraw, or keep going and study my butt off for the 1 credit hour class, with the potential for a less than stellar grade?
If you have a history of withdrawing, then that’s generally bad. Most advice seems to be that one or even two withdraws (especially if it’s for an elective or at least not for your major), isn’t going to have that bad an impact. That’s probably even more true for a class only worth 1 credit.
That being said, maybe try talking with the professor first. They might have some more insight as to students like you’ve that they’ve had before and maybe somehow they expect you’ll do fine in the end.
Also, if you think you’re at least gaining an educational experience by being in this class, maybe stay in it but put in less effort & be less stressed with the thought that you intend to withdraw before the withdraw deadline.
Thanks! I don’t have any withdraws, although I do have a poor grade that is excluded from my GPA (and replaced with an A). That’s why I was hoping to avoid any more marks on my transcript. I suppose I will keep at it and see how it goes, and re-evaluate before the withdraw deadline.
I had a similar experience with an intensive Japanese class and ended up withdrawing despite the instructor encouraging me to remain. Unless Arabic is a major focus of your intended career, it’s probably fine.
Definitely talk to the professor…ask what they recommend for beginners. It might be that you need to tell the others that you are a beginner and can they speak simple arabic to you, or it might be that you need to take this class another time.