By Taylor Jensen/reporter
The decision to drop a course can ultimately impact one’s academic future, a NW counselor said.
D.E. Staats explained why students drop courses and gave steps to prevent drops.
“It is easier to drop than it is to fail,” he said. “Fear of failure is a normal thing.”
Since fall 2007, students cannot drop more than six classes throughout their college career, Staats said.
“College can get hard for students, especially those in developmental courses,” he said. “I know because I was one of them when I was taking my instructional math courses.”
Students should complete these developmental courses because the grade received will not affect their GPA, Staats said.
Students should only consider dropping a developmental course if they are absolutely certain they cannot pass, he said.
To prevent drops, students must attend class and stay involved throughout the semester, he said.
“College is hard, but you get a real sense of accomplishment when you’re prepared and know the answers,” he said.
Another NW counselor, Tunia White, said that students’ schedules are a contributing factor to prevent drops.
“Before enrolling, it is always good for students to talk to an advisor about their schedules and their goals for the semester,” she said.
Many students try to work and attend school full-time, and if a balance is not found, students may drop their classes or stop attending school.
“I have run across students who have already met their allotted six drops, and it’s going to make it very difficult as they continue on to a university,” she said.
Hayden Johnson, a NW student, is familiar with the consequences of dropping a college course.
“I dropped three courses in my first semester and was left with one class,” he said. “I then realized I had waited too long to drop one of those courses and was put on academic probation.”
Johnson attributes his experience to not knowing how college worked. He was unprepared for how the drop affected not only his financial aid but also his attitude toward his academic future.
“I was on probation and had only finished one out of my four intended classes, so naturally I was reluctant to continue my future at TCC,” he said.
Johnson, however, is still continuing his education and is saving his three remaining drops.
“I can’t afford to drop anymore of my courses, and I am OK with that,” he said. “I plan on pushing through the obstacles that I once believed I was incapable of.”
