To Withdraw or Not to Withdraw...That is the Question

I can't tell you if it's "noble" or not, but this is a question that a lot of my students are facing right now...and it's an important question for me to try to help you with. Ultimately, every student has to decide for themselves if they are going to withdraw from a class, but I can give you some tips to navigate the withdrawing minefield.

Step 1: Gather Ye Information While Ye May. There is a finite amount of time to withdraw from classes. Each school will set a final date to withdraw from classes for a given semester...so find out that date!

Step 2: Gather Ye Grades. Did you receive a mid-term grade for your classes? Was that grade a D or an F? If no mid-term grade was posted, but you feel like your grade is on the poopy side, check out your Blackboard site for the class (if applicable).

Step 3: Readeth Ye Yon Syllabus. If you've taken 2 exams already, how many exams are left in the course? Your syllabus can tell you! Does your professor drop the lowest grade? The syllabus can tell you that too!

Step 4: Knoweth Ye Yon Professor's Mind. If your mind misgives about a class, have a conversation with the professor. Repeat after me, "My grade is currently a D...is there any way I can bring that up to a passing grade by the end of the semester?" Listen to what the professor says!

Step 5: Knoweth Thine Own Mind and Abilities. If your professor tells you that you would need to get an A on EVERY test from now until the end of the semester in order to bring up your grade, how practical is it for you to remain in the class?

Step 6: Knoweth Ye Thine Own Curriculum. Is the class you are withdrawing from required for your degree? By withdrawing, you will run the risk of falling behind in the completion of your degree. Are you willing to take summer classes to make up for the loss? Is this a "sequenced" class (meaning that you have to complete this class in order to go on to another class)? You will need to be EXTRA cautious about withdrawing from major classes and sequenced classes.

Step 7: Knoweth Ye Thine Own Transcript. Have you withdrawn from classes before? Are you currently on Academic Warning or Probation? These are all factors that can affect withdrawing. If you receive financial aid, you need to be cautious about how many classes you withdraw from or fail (this affects your "completion rate". The Federal Government requires that students complete 67% of the courses they sign up to take.)

Once you have completed these steps, run (do not walk, do not pass Go, do not collect $200) to your Advisor's office. Your advisor can talk you through your responses to each of these steps. Remember that you are making an INFORMED decision about your education. Withdrawing can be beneficial because a W on your transcript does not affect your gpa (a D or an F can SERIOUSLY affect your gpa!) But you need to be cautious and smart about the classes you withdraw from!