There are plenty of reasons that collegiettes™ decide to take on more than the required number of credits a semester. You may want to graduate early, get your general education requirements out of the way or just enjoy being busy. I’ve always been a chronic over-achieving, twenty-credit a semester kind of gal myself, and this semester didn’t start out any differently.However, this semester was the first time I really paid a price for taking on extra work. I made it a week and a half before I had to pull my first all-nighter. I made it two weeks before my immune system tanked and I caught a cold that was going around campus. Last week I made the decision to drop one of my classes.
I’m happy with my decision but it was a difficult one to make and many collegiettes™ struggle with it. So how do you know when you’ve taken on too much and when should you throw in the towel, walk over to the registrar and drop a class? When deciding whether or not to drop a class, ask yourself the following questions and see if the answer becomes more clear.
Do you enjoy the class?
Yes – Next Question
No – Drop the Class
A big part of success is enjoying what you do. If you don’t enjoy a class and you don’t need to take it in order to graduate on time, then you should probably drop the class.
Is it interfering with your other (important) classes?
Yes – Drop the Class
No – Next Question
We all know that college is a balancing act and that we have to be able to split our study time up between all of our classes but if one class is dragging you down and getting in the way of others that go towards your major or that you really care about, you should probably drop the class.
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Do you need it to graduate?
Yes – Next Question
No – Drop the Class
Fulfilling requirements is a huge part of why collegiettes™ pile on the extra classes. If you don’t need a to take a class to get your degree and it adding stress to your life, it’s probably a good idea to drop the class.
Can you take it during another semester?
Yes – Drop the Class
No – Next Question
If you need a class to graduate but it is being offered during another semester (perhaps when you have a little less on your plate) then its probably a good idea to drop the class.
Are you getting at least 6 hours of sleep?
Yes- Next Question
No – Drop the Class
Sleep is majorly important and if you aren’t getting enough of it, you’re putting your G.P.A. at risk. After being sleepless for 24 hours (AKA after a standard all-nighter), your brain has the same cognitive function as if you were drunk. You wouldn’t head straight from a frat party to a lecture so do yourself a favor and drop the class.
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Can you see yourself rocking the final?
Yes – Keep the Class
No – Drop the Class
Sure, you’re doing okay now, but what about in December? If you’re struggling to complete all your assignments now, chances are your nerves will be fried by finals week and then it will be too late. If you can’t guarantee yourself a good grade, you should probably drop the class.
How did you do? Is the class worth keeping, or should you drop it while you still have the chance?