In high school, students are forced to hang on through tough classes and maybe receive an “F,” but in college one can just drop the class with no damage done to their academic record.
Not a lot of new students consider dropping a class as an option, but they should. If someone is failing a class they should drop it unless they can pick up their grade before the end of the semester. No one wants an “F” emblazoned on their academic record forever.
Students may want to drop a class if they don’t understand the course materials after several meetings. If you have no idea what the professor is talking about or have failed a test or two because the class is way too hard, dropping the class is an option to explore.
Everyone’s situation is different. Whether it’s a car accident or an out of town work trip, dropping a class is there for our benefit as students and dropping does not affect your record in a negative way, but beware the three strikes rule that prevents you from taking the same class three times.
Before you make the final decision, it’s recommended that you chat with your professor about your standing. There could be extra credit available to patch up your grade.
The last day to drop a class for the each semester is in the class catalog and is usually referenced in the syllabus. Most class changes can be processed online on the Pierce College website.
