Dropping a class

[waitinginvain?]

I'm in an MFA program that requires us to take 20 credits a year in order to graduate in 3 years. I'm currently taking a class that's combined with undergrads.  I hate it. We are required to play "games for actors and non-actors" for the majority of each class, twice a week. The rest of the time in class is spent talking about oppression. I'm 50 years-old. I really don't want to play acting games any more. Worse, we have to find a community in which to present a 90-minute workshop to an oppressed community.   I've found another class that starts in March that will actually be helpful to me--teaching English composition in secondary schools.  But I'm afraid that if I take that class and don't do well, (it's an accelerated class)  I'll be put on academic probation. If I don't take it, I'm stuck in this other class because I need the credits. What to do? Stick with the annoying/time-consuming class, or go for the maybe-difficult but relevant class? I have a paper due in the annoying class tomorrow! I really don't want to write it!

[ANDS!]

If you can't sweat it through an annoying undergrad course, I am curious what happens when you come up against an annoying graduate course.  I think there is perhaps an age disconnect here, that is clouded your ability to find any benefit in the course (which, seemingly has lead to you falling behind in assignments?).

 

Personally, I would stick with the course if for no other reason than it's something you're familiar with so why roll the dice on something else.

[waitinginvain?]

What makes you think I haven't "sweated it" through annoying graduate courses?

[ANDS!]

Other than the question on what to do in an annoying undergrad course. . .nothing I suppose.

[fuzzylogician]

OP: I don't think there's a need to suffer through an annoying undergrad course just to prove that you can do it, and I don't understand ANDS's criticism of your question. The important question is how likely is this eventuality that you be put on academic probation. Suffering through an annoying course definitely beats risking your standing in your program.

[VBD]

It could be a difficult, but if it's relevant to your future plans, why not take it? Your current related passion and interest may make the "difficult" class actually easier than an annoying "easier" class. Ie. one of those classes where you can't wait to do the work for it vs. the UG class where you're dragging your feet just to do the homework. Can you find another peer in your program who has already taken the accelerated course, and can give you a fair analysis on the difficulty? Do you have an academic advisor, or perhaps a professor who can tell you more about the classes you could take? Good luck!

[uromastyx]

In ANDS! defense, I interpret it similarly, based on the provided articulation.

 

Nevertheless, ug classes can be absurd at times (as can grad courses). If you find it to be a waste of time then I would pursue the other course and work hard. I assume by your concern regarding your standing that you aren't performing well. (ANDS! probably also linked this to the urgency of the question in relation to avoiding an upcoming assignment.) If this is, in fact, a concern then you will need to decide whether you can manage the heavy course load.

[Elizabeth Reed]

Games for actors and non-actors, and....discussions of oppression. I'm confused....

 

I'd say drop the boring, easy class and go for the exciting challenging one! I should probably add that I almost always choose the risky, ambitious course of action in any situation. This approach often works out well for me and is almost always rewarding, but it has also gotten me into trouble a few times! (Although I find that most things end up working out somehow in the long run. I can't tell you how many times I've had the equivalent of academic probation happen to me only to look back months/years/a decade later and realize that what seemed like a major setback was actually something that set me on a different path that I'm glad to be on). 

 

If you're still struggling with the decision, remember this ancient wisdom: when in danger when in doubt run in circles scream and shout!