Withdraw or stick it out?

[Strixa]

I've been struggling with a course all semester (my other courses are going well); it's an Asian language that would be useful for my research though not required. I received a C on the midterm and the last two quizzes, which I realize looks bad. I study A LOT and have sought out help from the professor and older graduate students, but it doesn't seem to have helped much.

Tomorrow is the last day to drop classes before finals in about a week, and I'm trying to decide whether it's worth it. I'm extremely worried about the final, as a D or (God forbid) an F on it is unfortunately a real possibility. Getting below a C in this class would result in academic probation, and I'm worried about losing my funding as a result. On the other hand, I realize dropping or withdrawing from a class I've been encouraged to take looks pretty bad too.

Any thoughts?

[msafiri]

Well, there are a few factors. First, how badly do you need to learn this language for your research? Second, can you identify why you're struggling? Third, have you talked to the professor about how you're doing and if you should drop the class?

Finally, I just want to say this. At least in my grad program, undergrad language courses aren't counted in our graduate GPA, which is what's used to determine if someone has to be put on academic probation.

[Strixa]

Thanks for replying!

>> First, how badly do you need to learn this language for your research? <<

I'd say it's of moderate usefulness. I focus on a nearby country, so it'd be useful though not absolutely necessary.

>> Second, can you identify why you're struggling? <<

Unfortunately, no. It'd be easier to fix the problem if I could!

>> Third, have you talked to the professor about how you're doing and if you should drop the class? <<

The professor is leaving it up to me but noted what I already know - getting a bad grade looks bad, but dropping a class can too.

As for the last, yes, unfortunately it does count for my degree and GPA; some of our coursework for the program is composed of undergraduate courses (with extra work, of course).

[fuzzylogician]

Given that you only have one day to decide, academic probation and funding concerns trump possibly looking bad. If it is truly the case that this class could seriously hurt you and it's not a required class, I'd say you have no choice but to drop it. You can study the language independently of class if you need it for your research or you can retake the class in the future, maybe after getting help in understanding what is making you struggle now.

[Iris Johnson]

I've been struggling with a course all semester (my other courses are going well); it's an Asian language that would be useful for my research though not required. I received a C on the midterm and the last two quizzes, which I realize looks bad. I study A LOT and have sought out help from the professor and older graduate students, but it doesn't seem to have helped much.

Tomorrow is the last day to drop classes before finals in about a week, and I'm trying to decide whether it's worth it. I'm extremely worried about the final, as a D or (God forbid) an F on it is unfortunately a real possibility. Getting below a C in this class would result in academic probation, and I'm worried about losing my funding as a result. On the other hand, I realize dropping or withdrawing from a class I've been encouraged to take looks pretty bad too.

Any thoughts?

I believe you need to triple your efforts on this course. Exhaust all means to get an A (aim for an A; that way, if you don't reach your goal, you get a B ).

Edited January 5, 2012 by Iris Johnson

[emmm]

I hope you dropped -- too much stress otherwise, the way you presented it. And it sounded as though there really wasn't time to pull up your grade, in any case. If you do have to retake, the material should be easier and you'll cement your learning better the second time around. I don't see why there is such a stigma attached to withdrawing and retaking -- other than the added cost/time, there isn't much of a downside. Some times are just not the right times for certain activities, some subjects take longer to learn, etc., etc.

[Eigen]

This is an old thread, but I thought I'd pop in my recommendation for people who might find themselves in this position in the future: Use course audits! Official or non-official, they provide a great way to get the meat of the information that you'll use from a course without the additional stress of the class.

I finished up my coursework requirements two years ago, but I still ask to sit in on a class here and there. I've yet to have any professors turn me down when I ask if I can just sit in without officially auditing- they're usually happy to have someone that's just really interested in the material with no requirements. It's been especially good for those courses that are tangential and weakly related to what I'm working on- they provide a good framework and overview, but I don't really need to learn every detail like I would if it was directly in my area.