Nerdify Tips: How to Decide Whether You Should Drop a Class

Study tips

December 4, 2018

8 min read

This time Nerdify decided to speak up on a kinda tuff theme: a decision to drop a class.

When a college student feels like dropping a class, the moment comes with an endless stream of questions, apprehension, uncertainty, and stress. It does not matter whether you have registered for a class that was not exactly what you have expected or you cannot cope with a part-time job and doing well in each class, – you still want to know when (and if!) a decision to drop the class has to be made. The choice is never an easy one because it may feel like you have given up your future and failed. No, it is not the case and it does not mean that you are not smart enough! On the contrary, it is an important decision that a student can make due to a variety of reasons. The question is in how will it affect the graduation schedule, financial aid, and your life in general.

Dropping a Class or Withdrawing?

Before we dive into the depth of decisions and the reasons, let us learn the difference between dropping the class and withdrawing, which is not always the same! The difference is that the majority of colleges and universities have a clear policy, which allows for two week period to add or drop the class at the start of each semester. It is a period that allows you to schedule your classes and carry out the changes without a penalty. If you choose to drop the class during this particular period, the class will not appear on your official transcript list. In other words, there will be no sign of your enrollment anywhere. However, there is one thing to keep in mind that relates to financial aid program! If the class is dropped, there is a return of funds policy that may come in power in most cases. Now when the two weeks period is over, your action is defined as withdrawal, which is an entirely different matter! To cut the long story short – your official transcript list will have a “W” mark next to the class you have withdrawn from.

Some Things to Be Aware Of:

If you choose to withdraw from the class or drop it, as most students still refer to the practice, you should be aware of the following:

It is possible that you will be charged for tuition fees in certain conditions, so make sure to review the terms and conditions before you make a final decision.
Keep an eye for specific dates and the deadlines that you have to follow! Make sure that your schedule with the other classes is not affected by the change.
Your overall progress may be affected in case you do not have a sufficient amount of study hours.
While you will have a “W” on your graduation transcript if you withdraw from the class, a “W” grade in any class dropped will NOT affect your GPA!
In order to receive a financial aid from your college or university, you have to complete at least 70% of your classes taken successfully. It means that F or W is defined as unsuccessful, unlike D or anything better!
You need at least twelve credit hours to be considered a full-time student. Do not ever drop below 12 credit hours, so you do not find yourself in a situation without insurance and financial aid!
Check with your college or university about special class dropping policy in terms of your progress through the semester and other rules that may be applicable!

Before You Drop The Class:

Before you decide to drop the class and implement changes to your life and professional career, always talk to your college advisor first! One of the crucial reasons to do so is that they may be aware of specific implications and future challenges that you may not even know about! As you talk to the advisor, make sure that you ask these questions to help both of you to decide what to do and see whether it is right or wrong:

Will dropping of this particular class affect my graduation date and an overall academic schedule?
Are we dealing with a prerequisite course that a student can only take once a year?
Is this particular class necessary for graduation this year? In other words, if you already two semesters close to graduation date, your decision may affect the day.
Will dropping of this class affect my financial aid support and the scholarship?
Will I have fewer credits in total? If so, how will it affect my financial state and is there a funds return policy?
Will dropping a class influence my full-time student status? It is always better to ask because it affects your applicability for financial student aid and a scholarship among other things your college or a university may offer!

Now it is only you who can decide whether you should drop a class or not, therefore, ask yourself these three simple questions:

Why do I want to drop the class and what is the true reason for that?
Can I settle down the issue without dropping?
What kind of help and what changes do I need to continue with the class?

While it is hardly possible to list all the reasons that may be suitable or not suitable for dropping the class, it is most likely because the class seems to be “too difficult” or you “have to work and just cannot manage it all”. No matter what your particular case is, let us deal with the aforementioned situations and see what can be done.

You are trapped in a situation when you have to work way too much to keep yourself going or to earn a little extra. The first case is a reason to ask for additional financial aid if you are determined to do your best academically, but financial struggles get in the way. Now the second case is not really worth ruining your studies because it is much wiser to avoid dropping the class and focus on your long-term goals instead of treating yourself with additional earnings. Ask yourself about what matters more to you, but remember that it is your life and that studying well always rewards you in the future!

Now the second case is when the class seems to be too difficult or not what you have expected it to be. If it is the first case and things seem unclear to you, remember that dropping a class is not the best solution since you can ask your university tutor or a college professor for help. A bit of a guidance and a list of your concerns addressed may help you to receive that missing link to feel better about the class and see all the benefits. Challenge yourself and try to learn more about the class while you can! Still, if the class is really not what you thought it would be, talk to your academic advisor to weigh in all the pros and cons, read of the possible consequences, and do what you feel is best!

Several Valid Reasons to Drop The Class:

You need to drop the class in order to maintain your scholarship.
You do not have sufficient time to complete the class due to personal circumstances.
Dropping the class will not damage your overall academic progress.
You have a sufficient amount of credit hours and you can safely switch the class and make changes, while there is a “two weeks” period.
You are dealing with a military duty.
Adding a different class will be more beneficial to you!

Do not forget that when you struggle with a particular class, there are still special rescue courses that usually start in the middle of a semester! However, if you have to deal with an illness or major changes in your life, the best thing you can do is withdraw from all classes entirely. Likewise, with the military duty, you can apply for special programs that meet your situation and allow you to receive all the necessary credits.

Even if you decide to drop the class and have already talked to your college or university advisor, always sign up for the rescue class and give it one more chance! Trust Nerdify, talking things out always helps to see the situation clearer and do what’s best for you!

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10 Gifs Describing Your Back-to-School Feelings

September 5, 2018

Oh man! It’s time to go back to school! Unfortunately, time flies when you’re having fun. We get it, you want to chill and enjoy your vacation. Just to cheer you up Nerdify has compiled a bunch of awesome gifs, that will turn your frown upside down. Recognize yourself?

1. When you want to run away from homework and stress.

You can run, but you can’t hide!

2. When the teachers and lectures are boring…

Yeah! Sleeping in class for the win!

3. Mourning for the loss of your summer break be like…

You left without saying goodbye; I can’t live without you (Sure you can!).

4. That awesome feel when you see your close friend in school.

You are like long-lost lovers. Aww!

5. When you and your friend are in different classes this year.

So close, yet so far. What’s the point of education now?

6. Seeing your school crush (again) be like…

You can’t help but be inspired. You promise to do well in school and be with him/her for the rest of your life.

Then, you remember—the concept of forever does not exist.

7. You ask yourself, “When’s the next holiday or long weekend?”

When you’re stressed, you need to rest. There are even people who ask, “When’s the next storm or typhoon?” (That’s bad!)

8. When the teacher asks, “What did you learn from last school year?

How can we remember when it’s one of the things we least care about?

9. When your teacher calls your name for self-introductions.

You’ve never been so screwed in your whole life!

10. (Bonus!) When the school bells rings for lunch break/dismissal.

And you’re probably exhausted. Nevertheless, you try to muster a small smile. Looks like lunch and dismissal are going to be your favorite subjects again.

And remember that no matter how many tasks you have and how little time to complete them all, Nerdify is here for you 24/7. Our Nerds are always happy to help with every study-related task:)
Nerdify Reviews

Nerdify Reviews 7 Tips For Coping With Trauma While In College

April 27, 2022

It is only human to wish life would always be good, and that smiles would adorn our faces every day of our lives. Unfortunately, things are not always like that, you can find so many stories on Reddit! We can protect ourselves and our loved ones as much as possible, but trauma is trauma. When it comes for us or those we hold dear — and it doesn’t come with an announcement — we just have to find a way to overcome it, so this the theme Nerdify reviews today.

In this post from Nerdify reviews team, you’ll learn about 7 helpful tips to help you or anyone you know deal effectively with trauma while in college.

1. Try As Much As Possible Not To Blame Yourself

Grief is universal, most people have to go through it at some point in their lives. However, perhaps one of the biggest indicators of our individualism is in the way we grieve. Most people live out their grief differently from the next person. Regardless of this, no matter what happened or how it happened, do not let yourself wallow in a sea of self-blame. Trauma can have a very strong hold on the mind, and while one would expect the occasional feeling of guilt that could arise in some cases, it is advisable to never let it develop into a major mood. Self-blame will make you stray away from everything that makes you the person you are and eat deep into many other aspects of your life.

2. Be Flexible About Coping

Do not let yourself be boxed into a corner or a definition of coping. As mentioned in Nerdify reviews posts earlier, people are different in how we cope with challenges in our lives, including how we grieve or face trauma. While trying to cope with a traumatic phase of your life, do not lose your individualism to catchphrases or new shiny ideas off the internet, particularly the ones that would have you deny the presence of trauma or bury it deep inside you that all else might thrive. Be flexible. The college itself is already rife with stressors of all kinds as we can read in Reddit reviews, dealing with trauma on top of all that is not fair to anyone. This is why you should maintain flexibility as you cope. If you have to mix it up, please do.

3. Protect Yourself

Physical and mental health are very important in all of this. Protect yourself at all costs. If your college activities are in any way a major trigger for your mental health, it is best to recognize this and take the best step possible towards finding the right solution. Nerdify reviews team suggests seeing a therapist and going to group psychotherapy to identify those triggers.

4. Don’t Use Your Studies As A Decoy

It is not uncommon to see people use their immediate environment as a decoy when faced with some kind of trauma. It has worked for some people over the course of history but generally, it’s not always a healthy practice. For example, someone who lost a loved one and delved into academic activities as a form of denial would assume they had successfully escaped the grieving process unless, of course, it’s not exactly foolproof. The thing about covering things up inside you or using activities as a decoy is that it’s like creating a minefield inside you. It rarely ever lasts. It’s always much safer to go through the process now, though painful than to risk an emotional breakdown later on.

5. Go Back To Your Daily Routines

A good way to reclaim control of your life is to be involved in the things you would ordinarily be involved in. Don’t stay too long away from the gym if you are a gym lover. If you loved to spend time in the library, don’t stray far from it. That sense of balance is very important. However, endeavor not to fall into the trap of doing too much to show people you’ve moved on. Our fellows from Nerdify saw a lot of Reddit reviews stating that hobbies helped students get to their senses.

6. Take A Break If You Need One

There isn’t much to say about this. Sometimes a break is needed to effectively deal with the effects of trauma, especially if your activities as a college student is a major trigger. There are ways to go about this, peculiar to each institution. Meet with the relevant authorities and state your case. Even if you need to take as much as one semester off to deal with things, please do.

7. See A Therapist

This is coming last because it is the most important of all these tips. Seeing a professional is the first thing you should do when faced with trauma. No amount of online advice or fancy catchphrases can measure up to the help you’ll get talking to someone trained specifically to help out with issues like trauma. Your college life will be all better for it. Our colleague at Nerdify reviews specifically asked to include this advice, working with therapist once saved his life!

Nobody invites trauma but it comes for us all the same. When faced with it, everything—including your college life and academics— could be on the line. Following all the tips on this post will give you a great chance of overcoming trauma and preserving your college status.
Nerdify Reviews

Nerdify Reviews: 5 Healthy Ways to Resolve College Campus Conflicts

March 9, 2020

Campus conflicts are just as common these days as the fights with demanding college professors who ask for assignment revisions or better concentration. While most of us cannot choose who to share the campus room with, there are ways to get things better with the simple tricks that will always help you in life. Even if there are two different or opposite personalities, it is still possible to avoid conflict’s escalation and live in peace.
As the Nerdify reviews team always points out, the key is to work on personal social skills and learn how to voice an opinion while listening to others.

Writing Down Your Demands.

Every conflict always has its root cause and a list of demands from each side. For example, you may get irritated because your roommate takes your leather jacket or fails to keep the room tidy. Likewise, he or she may hate rap music that you enjoy so much. It sounds like an issue where no party will ever give in. Start with a list of demands and what you see as a problem. Write it down and share it. Now think of possible solutions list by writing it down again. This way you may avoid talking to each other, yet seek a compromise.

Mediation.

This term is a foundation of conflict resolution and represents an important technique where a third neutral party becomes involved. It is a person who does not take sides, yet tries to bring conflicting sides towards resolution by letting them speak out. It can be a friend, a course counselor or even a professional in the field. The vital side of mediation is that it does not cost much, keeps the privacy intact, and never takes long to find a solution.

Responsibilities List.

Our cooperation practice for Nerdify reviews has taught us an important lesson about shared responsibilities. This way we avoid complaints or getting something left undone. It works the same way with the college conflicts. Create a list of responsibilities for the day of the week or things that you do better like cooking or cleaning or even finding a list of movies to watch. If something looks troublesome, give your friend an hour to listen to music or play guitar, while you also receive an hour for chatting with that boyfriend or a girlfriend of yours in private.

Teamwork and Community.

A reason why our Nerdify reviews never take long to get published is the dedication to teamwork and a great sense of community. College life is all about cooperation and the rule applies to campus life as well. If there are any team projects for the course, let the professor know that you want to work with your roommate, so you can always discuss it later. They may think that you are cross with each other, yet it will prove otherwise and make them smile. If there is some community service that one of you is involved in, join it as well to show that you care or offer to be a spectator at the college football game.

When to Ring a Bell.

Unfortunately, there are grim cases of college bullying or even harassment. Such conflicts should be reported immediately with the professional involvement of college officials or even healthcare specialists. There may be trouble at home or excessive stress that your roommate is dealing with yet fails to ask for help and expresses it in a rude behavior or even violence. If you find yourself in such a situation, it is time to ring a bell and talk to a trusted person. Always remain sensitive and voice your concerns with as much confidentiality as you can. Most colleges offer professional help, so consider it as an option.

A Word of Wisdom From The Nerdify Reviews

College life is a time when we all feel homesick and lost. Even though we finally gain independence and have no one to tell us what is right, things still feel awkward. When we are left on our own on a college campus, it may feel like everything and everyone is against us. In truth, it is very far from the truth as it is only stress and a demanding environment that make us feel this way. Since the only object of emotional release is a single person or those who share our college room, it is no wonder that some conflicts may occur. We all are used to a certain way of life, yet it is our differences that make this world so beautiful and force us to appreciate who we are. Listen to others, learn to be patient, and see what skills help people to feel confident and get on with others. It is a much more important lesson that no degree will ever offer!