Most colleges offer a three-course, 15-credit load for full-time students. If you want to max out your schedule and get classes out of the way, you may feel inclined to take as many courses as possible, even exceeding this three-course maximum.
However, doing so could be more difficult than you might expect. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you first start, especially if you put too much on your plate before you learn the ropes of college courses. Fortunately, dropping a class is an option.
Whether you’re being too ambitious or you’ve changed majors, you can drop a class to get a more balanced schedule. Students may also drop courses if they’re struggling with the material, since dropping by the deadline avoids a low grade and ensures a fresh start in a future course.
Changing your schedule can have major consequences for your GPA, financial aid, and graduation timeline, so be sure to consider your options carefully.
The Basics of Add/Drop Periods
High school has a lot of oversight. In college, you’re empowered to make informed decisions about your academic journey, and you’re responsible for your success. Most colleges and universities give you a deadline at the start of a term to make changes to your schedule— the add/drop period. Often, this period is about two weeks, but it can vary by school.
During this time you can add or drop courses easily, but there are often deadlines and limitations to be aware of.
How to Drop a Class
Dropping a class means you’re officially withdrawing from it after enrollment but before the semester ends. There’s often a predetermined date or deadline that allows students to withdraw without any effect on their academic standing or financial aid.
If you drop a class before the deadline, it’s essentially like you never registered for it in the first place – it’s “erased” from your schedule. It won’t affect your grade or grade point average, and usually, it won’t affect your transcripts.
However, if you drop a course after the deadline, there could be penalties. Depending on the school, it may be a “W” on your transcript that indicates you withdrew from a course. It can also impact your financial aid.
In addition, some schools have no grace period for dropping courses, so you could have academic and financial consequences if you drop a class at any point in the course – even after the first class.
Is Dropping a Class the Same as Withdrawing?
Though they’re often used interchangeably, withdrawing from a course is different from dropping a course. Unlike dropping a course, a withdrawal will be listed on the transcript as “W.” It will still show up on your course schedule, but instead of “registered,” it will reflect “withdraw.”
At many schools, withdrawing can only be submitted after the last day of the add/drop period until the deadline date. Conversely, dropping a course removes it from your schedule and transcript if you submit your drop request prior to the deadline.
Keep in mind that different schools have different policies to drop vs. withdraw from a class. Check with your advisor to understand your options if you no longer want to take a course.
Reasons to Drop a Course
The add/drop option gives students flexibility in their schedule and an opportunity to maximize their success.
Students drop courses for many different reasons. Sometimes, they’ve overextended themselves with their schedule and want to lighten their workload. They may not click with the professor or the material, so dropping the class is a chance to choose a more engaging subject.
If students change majors, they may drop the courses that are specific to their previous major to fit their new degree plan into their schedule. There can be schedule conflicts with work or home responsibilities, especially with adult learners, that require dropping a class to balance obligations.
Extenuating circumstances can lead to dropping classes – or possibly taking a break from school entirely. For example, prolonged illness, mental health concerns, sick family members, or other majorly disruptive situations may require dropping a course or two.
How to Drop a Class
Most schools have a process to drop a course or unenroll from a course, though it can vary by school. At some schools, you may have a student account that gives you access to your schedule and options to register for courses or add/drop courses.
If online add/drop isn’t an option, you may need to speak with the registrar’s office or your advisor to formally drop your course or add another one. Some schools may only allow you to drop a course yourself prior to the start date, but you’ll need to speak with your advisor if the class has begun. You may need approval from a professor or advisor as well.
Most courses have an add/drop deadline within the first few weeks. Dropping a class after the deadline is a withdrawal. It’s crucial to speak to your advisor about your options and add/drop deadlines as early as possible if you think a course isn’t right for you.
Things to Consider Before You Add or Drop a Course
Making a change to your schedule during the term can be helpful, but there are consequences to consider. Here are some tips to navigate your add/drop period and make an informed decision:
Confirm the Deadline
If you drop a course early in the term, it won’t show up on your transcript. If you drop after the add/drop deadline, however, your transcript will show a “W” for withdrawal. This has no effect on your GPA.
Depending on the school, you may have to complete the course, request an incomplete, or risk earning a failing grade. If you have a failing grade at the time of a late withdrawal, some schools have “withdrawal fail” that will show up on your transcript as “WF.” When it comes to GPA, this is weighted as an “F.”
Your academic calendar should have add/drop deadlines. Most schools allow changes within the first week or two of the term. You may need to fill out paperwork and pay a fee for schedule changes, especially after the add/drop deadline.
Learn Your Financial Aid Options
Financial aid has requirements for half-time or full-time students. If dropping a course puts you under a half-time or full-time status, depending on the requirements of your lender, you could lose eligibility for certain grants, scholarships, or loans.
Be sure to speak to your school’s financial aid office before making a final decision on dropping a course. They can tell you if changing your course load can impact your financial aid and what options are available.
Consider Your Schedule and Academic Goals
Once classes start, review your syllabi and consider which courses excite you. You should have a balance of challenging and easier courses to avoid becoming overwhelmed. If you have too many difficult or time-consuming courses at once, you may not have the time to devote to studying or assignments.
You should also think about your schedule both in and out of school. If you have schedule conflicts or an overly full schedule with back-to-back courses, it may be a sign to make some changes.
Some courses are required for your degree program, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have options. For example, if you’re in a course that satisfies a gen ed science requirement, but you know it’s not right for you, you can drop it now and take a different course in the future.
Consider Pass/Fail Options
If your schedule is overloaded or a course just isn’t clicking for you, dropping can seem like the best option. There could be consequences later on, however. For example, if the course you want to drop is a general education requirement, you may need to retake the course. Also, if it’s a major-specific course or a prerequisite, you will need to take it to continue on your academic track.
Pass/fail is an option for some courses. Switching to pass/fail means your grade will be determined by either passing or failing the course, rather than letter grades determined by percentages. If you’re concerned about getting a low grade, but believe you’ll pass, this can help you get through the course without worrying about getting a C or D.
Keep in mind that most colleges have a deadline for pass/fail grading. Also, most prerequisites require a C or better to ensure you have the foundation to succeed in the next course. Major-specific courses may not offer pass/fail grading, but it depends on the school.
Talk to Your Academic Advisor
Your advisor is your partner in success. If you’re considering dropping a course because you’re struggling with the material, your advisor can help you find university support services like the writing center or tutoring. They can also help you learn your options for dropping and adding courses, switching to pass/fail, or asking for an incomplete to finish the coursework at a later date.
If you choose to continue with dropping a course, your advisor can help you fill out the appropriate paperwork, apply for applicable tuition waivers or refunds, or appeal for a late withdrawal as needed.
Create a Plan to Make Up the Credits
Dropping a course may be the best option if you’re concerned about a poor grade, but you will need to make up those credits. If your course is a gen ed, you may be able to add another course that satisfies the subject requirement. If your course is a major or prerequisite, speak with your advisor about when you can make up those credits to stay on track.
Optimize Your Schedule with Sophia
Adding and dropping college courses is a helpful option, but doing so can affect your schedule in both the short and long-term. Whether you dropped a gen ed course or can’t fit it in your schedule, Sophia can help. With our self-paced courses, you can complete your gen eds when it works best for you – no schedule conflict or overwhelm. Start your free trial today!
