Thinking About Dropping a Course?

When a student is considering dropping one or more courses, it’s not about whether they are “smart enough.” We know you are capable of learning the material. The real question is: What is manageable given your current situation?

We look at a few key things to help guide this decision:

1. How Overwhelmed Are You? If you’re feeling constantly overwhelmed, it becomes harder to focus, keep up, and learn new material. Feeling stuck can lead to falling further behind.

2. How Much Work Is Still Outstanding? If you’ve missed two or more assignments, quizzes, or tests in a course—or if you’re behind in several classes—it can create a “snowball effect.” When you’re catching up on old work, it’s harder to stay on track with current lessons.

3. Are You Carrying Deferred Exams or Assignments? Deferred exams or assignments take time and effort. If you have two deferred exams and are also enrolled in four current courses, it’s like you’re juggling six courses. That’s a heavy load, and it can increase stress and lower performance.

4. Are Your Expectations Realistic?

Ask yourself:

• What grades do I need to pass this course?

• What will it take to catch up and stay on track?

• Can I reasonably get everything done with the time, energy, and support I have right now?

It’s usually better to take fewer courses and finish them on time than to take on too many and need extensions. You’ll feel more confident, learn more effectively, and stay better connected with your class.