Dropping a class in college?

Question

I'm starting my first day of college tomorrow - I'm so excited!!!

I just figured out that a class I originally waitlisted for became open for me, but I already have 4 classes, 15 units and if I take this extra class that'll make my unit count rise to 18 and people in my family that have been through college advise me not to take it cuz it'll be too much...

and besides, with the election going on, it's probably the wrong time to take it - it's US Government....

I know that I can drop this class just by not showing up the first day.... but wouldn't that make me look irresponsible? should I go into the class before my first class and talk to the instructor and tell him I can't go along with it now?

I'm at complete loss of what to do...

Answer 1

I totally agree with your family is right when they said so.

My advice, call Business Office and drop the class right away and you will be done with that.

Why you wait untill the first class to talk to you professor? It's a waist of time.

Answer 2

Actually the class would be great to take because of the election- you'll probably get interesting projects assigned tied to it instead of all the textbook stuff.

Anyway, you can drop classes by going to your school's online class registration website. For example, we could go online and remove/add a class for like 3 weeks into the quarter and it was totally fine- it didn't show up anywhere. What you could do is go to both classes your are choosing between on day 1 (if they're not at the first time) and get the syllabus and see what class you'd rather take.

As for not showing up, it depends on how big the class is. If it's a lower division intro gov class it might be 200+ people so no one will notice/care if you're gone....but if you're going to a tiny school then they might take attendance and you don't want to miss it so either drop the class online before it starts or go to the first day.

Answer 3

With an election going on this is the best time to take it. You'll probably have assignments based on the election, and with such a big event you pretty much have an unlimited amount of resources full of info. I do not think that 18 units is heavy at all, I am actually taking 18 units this semester as well. You should be given a 2 week time period to drop with a refund and without a W. My opinion is that you should be able to handle it fine.

Answer 4

first Good luck!! Tomorrow just go to the admissions office and ask them to drop you and sign up for the other class. Most universities and colleges allow 12 days for changes. If you wait til after that deadline thought you will be penelized and every school nation wide only allows you 6 drops in your college career, then you have to pay out of state tuition no matter where you go even if you transfer schools. Anyways GOOD LUCK!

Answer 5

Dropping a class is no big deal. Just drop it the prof won't take it personally but make sure you drop it the right way and fill out all the offical paperwork.

Answer 6

Does your school have a 3 day drop/add during the first week of school? If so, you can drop without the W showing up on your transcript. You really want to drop during the drop/add period, if possible.

Answer 7

go to your advisor and tell him or her that you want to drop from the class.

Answer 8

go to your college registrar and drop the class you don't want to take and add the class you were waitlisted for. it's no big deal, most colleges have a "grace period" where you can add/drop classes.

Answer 9

How does not going the first day drop the class? I've never heard of that and I graduated. You may want to talk to your advisor. You can take 18 credits, just not your first year when you haven't found your footing yet. Just write the teacher an e-mail and explain the situation if you feel that torn up about it. He doesn't know you so I don't know why you'd bother really, but kudos on the responsibility factor.

Answer 10

If you want to drop the class go to the register's office tomorrow and drop it.  Most schools give you 100% refund if you do it the first week.

Answer 11

When I was in college I dropped a class for very similar reasons and it was no big deal.  

I would suggest dropping it before the first day of class or at least within the first week of class.  If you drop the class earlier you will easily be able to explain to anyone that would ask that you had waitlisted a class and replaced the class you dropped with that waitlisted class.  The longer you wait the more it looks at though you struggled in the class or did not want to the work.

Just so you know. When I applied to graduate school I was never questioned why I dropped the class.  I assume it happens to many students.

Answer 12

If you can drop the class online, do so.  If you can't, email the professor and ask them to drop you.  This will let them open up your spot to someone else - the sooner the better.

Answer 13

Call your school and talk to you adviser. I'm doing 15 credits myself which is 5 classes. It being your first time in college, i say don't overwhelm yourself with so much work.

Answer 14

If you need to drop a course, you have to do it officially.  Usually schools require you to fill out a form.  They wont drop it if you just dont show up.  This is college, you have to do everything on your own.  If you dont drop it, it will reflect on your transcript.  Go to the registrar's office or where you signed up for classes, and ask them for assistance in dropping the class.