Add/Drop is coming to a close, which means that for those of us who have been having on again, off again vibes with a class (or four), this is the defining moment. Will they or Won’t they? To make this process a little bit easier (or at least create a better outcome) I have come up with the 7 key factors to consider when deciding if you should commit to the class or drop it.
1. Is it a Gen Ed?
With the new Gen Ed system, it is a lot easier to find classes that fit your interests and count as a Divisional Course. You may not find your dream course in the math requirement if you’re anti-math or in the aesthetic requirement if you’re not an artsy person, but you should be able to find a class with a professor you love and a medium you can tolerate to finish your requirements. If you cannot stand the class you’re in, start searching for something new and drop that old class like it’s hot.
2. Is the class required for your concentration?
If the class is an introductory class and you really dislike it or you’re really struggling, it may be time to rethink your concentration. Consider whether this is a one semester problem that you just have to push through, or if this is telling of what your experience will be in general taking classes in this concentration. If this is a one semester struggle that you think will be worth it, then you can push through. If there is something else you would rather do for the next few years, then drop it like it’s hot.
3. Did you sign on for the topic only to discover that the professor was not your cup of tea?
Drop it like it’s hot. The professor shapes the class. It can be hard to enjoy the readings if you are regularly butting heads with your professor or just plain bored in class. It can be even harder to understand a new topic if you don’t understand the approach used to explain it. Especially if you disagree with the professor on how a paper or test should be structured, it’s not worth risking your grade to learn about a topic. There will always be classes with cool topics. There will also always be great professors. Which brings me to my next point.
4. Love the professor but detest the readings or psets?
It’s a close call. I think that a good professor is worth suffering through a thousand meh readings for, because a good professor can push you to think about them in ways that make you glad you read them, even if you leave the classroom thinking they’re still meh readings. At the end of the day, it is your call. If you can’t get through the material, or you are really struggling to understand it, drop it while you can.
5. Are you taking more than 4 classes this semester?
If you signed onto more than four courses but are now feeling overwhelmed, don’t feel stuck. If it is before the end of Add/Drop, figure out which class you are the least invested in, least excited by, or do not need, and drop it like it’s hot. Alternatively, if you love all your classes but still feel like they are too much, consider taking one pass/fail or even auditing.
6. Are you taking an intense class on the basics (read CS50 or EC10) when you do not have to
Decide how much time you are willing to commit to the class this semester. It is definitely useful to know about the basics of coding and economics, but if you do not have the time to commit to it this semester, then maybe you should take it another semester. It is also important to consider your mental health. If the pressure of an intense class is too much, then you can always learn coding or economics outside of a class setting.
7. Are you way behind already?
If you are already feeling overwhelmed by the workload, look to your syllabuses. Does it only get harder from here? Do deadlines overlap? Why did you start to fall behind? Is there time for you to catch up? Seriously consider what you can handle when you pick your classes and what kind of schedule you will need to keep to in order to uphold your standards. If you have over-committed yourself, figure out how to cut back on extracurriculars to make up the time, manage your time better, or change your classes.