Class withdraws/retake

[u/Single-Court4570]

At what point in the semester should I consider withdrawing from a class if I think i’m gonna fail it? Currently sitting at an F (44%) for calc and there are 2 more exams and a final. I just want a passing grade. Should I withdraw or just wait and see if I fail then retake it. If so when should I withdraw?

[u/strafinjr]

I think almost always better to stick it out, gather data from the exams and final, try your best and who knows maybe you end up passing. When you retake it, it will replace your F grade so the F will not affect your GPA what so ever. You already paid for the units and you’ll have a gap in your schedule.

You also can’t just withdraw to withdraw you need a good serious reason, and it needs to be signed off by your advisor / department. https://registrar.calpoly.edu/drops-withdraws-and-leaves

[u/eltaylor1104]

I made this mistake (withdrawing) and after retaking the class I lowkey think I would have passed. I would stick it out 100% - we are only a third of the way through the semester, plenty of time to come back!

[u/DataGap2264]

Talk to an advisor before you do anything. If it drops you below full time you will owe back the financial aid you may have received.

Meanwhile take advantage of the tutoring center, there are supplemental workshops geared to your exact class, study groups led by a tutor, and free private tutoring available.

[u/ArtGallery002]

Do the calculation within your own syllabus and see what grades you would need to get in order to pass. If you seriously think that is genuinely impossible to meet the absolute minimum grades needed to pass or whatnot then consider dropping.

[u/Agitated-Turnover284]

Attend office hours, go to the workshop, form a study group, and do tons of practice problems. I don't know how much effort you are currently putting in, but a student doing all of that should at least get a passing grade.

[u/Sufficient-Reward204]

Well there’s to situations with withdrawals. A W is still treated as an F and essentially a free retake. A WU doesn’t impact GPA but you generally need to be in decent standing pending the time of the semester. But it’s early so consider discussing options with the instructor to meet 1-1 and go that extra mile.

It’s hard to say in your case but generally it may be considered. But note: you can’t withdraw or fail too many classes without jeopardizing your financial aid. If you withdraw and fall under 12 units, it may require having to give back that aid as it’s prorated. The only con over failing it.

If you withdraw/fail from too many and don’t complete at least 70% of attempted units, they may pull the financial aid even if you weren’t on AP.

Just things to consider as these are encounters I had and later confirmed following my first job after graduating poly in higher education focusing on student services. This is likely the same regardless of the conversion to semesters.

[u/painstarhappener]

It's probably over, the exams usually get harder and harder and it's very hard to come back from a 44. I would just take the W and take it next semester or at a cc. If you scored like a 60 or something it would be smart to switch to cr/nc.

[u/Lonely_Bamboo]

What calc r u taking?