Expert Advice on When to Ask for Help, Drop or Withdraw
Good grades are important for many reasons. Not only do they set a student up for better long-term opportunities in applying to graduate or professional school, they also allow entrance into specific fields of study and lead to scholarships and other opportunities. But some courses are tough, and it’s common for students to struggle academically in at least one class. If you’re failing a class, you have options. Find out what you can do to improve your grade and when it might be time to drop or withdraw from a class.
What to Do if You’re in Danger of Failing a Class
Before considering dropping or withdrawing from a course, a student should work to put him or herself in the best position to succeed by using the tools available on and off campus. Here are steps students should take as soon as they know their grade is at risk.
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When to Consider Other Options
It is always ideal to try one’s best to complete a course with a passing grade before any other considerations. There are times, though, when that becomes impossible and it becomes appropriate to look at other options. Dropping a course, withdrawing from a course and taking an incomplete are some of these alternatives. We’ve listed them below with Croskey’s expert advice as to when they may be necessary, and how they affect the picture of a student’s overall academic path.
According to Croskey, a withdrawal should be seen as a last-resort option. “A student knows [it’s time to withdraw] when they have met with their professor and determined that there is no possible way to earn enough points to pass the course,” Croskey says.
If students plan to withdraw from a course, they will likely need to get approval for their plans before they can officially withdraw. “Typically students have to have approval from the professor or adviser to withdraw from the course,” says Crosky. Some schools also require a student to have at least a passing grade for the course at the time of the withdrawal.
There are a few additional factors students should keep in mind before choosing to withdraw from a class. “Some courses are required by major and will have to be retaken,” says Crosky. A withdrawal might “put the student out of sequence to progress in their chosen major, resulting in them having to stay an additional semester.”
Most schools also limit the number of withdrawals a student can take. “A student is only allowed a certain number of withdrawals on their transcript,” says Crosky, noting the number for Clarion University is five. Some schools also have a “double repeat policy”. UC Santa Cruz, for instance, only allows students to repeat a course twice, and a withdraw counts as an attempt. While a “W” on a transcript is better than a failing grade, it might negatively impact future opportunities for graduate school.
Students who rely on financial aid to pay for school will also need to keep in mind that withdrawing from a class may drop the number of enrolled credits below the minimum needed for financial aid. Students should carefully review their financial aid requirements with their adviser before withdrawing.
Questions to Ask Yourself
There isn’t a blueprint for knowing when to drop, withdraw or take an incomplete for a class. Students should seriously self-reflect and consider each aspect of their academic, professional and personal lives before they make a decision. They especially shouldn’t consider these options as an ‘easy way out;’ rather, they should be honest about other time commitments and priorities, as well as their big-picture academic plans. Most importantly, students must have a clear idea of the options before them, as well as associated deadlines.
Here are some questions to ask yourself before deciding on your course of action:
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How to Keep Your Grades Up Next Semester
Students should understand that while dropping, withdrawing, taking an incomplete or failing a class is far from ideal, it’s also not the end of their college career. There are many actions that students can take to put themselves in a good position for greater success over their remaining semesters. Read below for some tips to gaining control over one’s academic achievements.
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