Know When to Walk Away
by Carrie Richards

Originally published Sept. 5, 2000 on studentadvantage.com.

Welcome to the add-drop period, the student's version of the money-back guarantee. These first couple weeks of the semester are arguably more important than any other — even the week of Hell you'll go through before finals. After all, the tweaks you make to your schedule now will impact you through the semester and beyond.

Don't fool yourself into believing that what you jotted down on your registration forms is what you actually have to take! Unless you're in a pre-professional program or have your life mapped out so far in advance you know what you'll be wearing to class on the third Monday in February, you have plenty of freedom to change your classes after the semester has begun.

Now admittedly, you can't be too picky when opting out of classes. If you're not careful, you could find yourself unable to graduate because you missed one little core requirement along the way. Sometimes you'll have to suck it up and take some classes you know you won't like. And other times you won't even realize a class is horrible until it's too late to drop it without it scarring your transcript. But there are some warning signs that a class and you are not perfect together:

1. You fall asleep on the first day of class. In the beginning of the semester you should be chipper enough to last through anything — and when the topic's still fresh and there's not a lot of tedious lecturing, you should have no problem staying awake. If you catch yourself snoozing, there's something very wrong with the professor, the classroom environment or your health. Regardless, spending another 13 weeks dozing off in this class might not be the best use of your time.

2. It's not what you bargained for. Maybe when you signed up for Art 157 you thought it'd be a nice, safe class you could ace just by looking at slides and memorizing a few names in the textbook. Then when you arrive, the professor sticks a sketchbook under your nose and tells you to get busy. If the class asks more of you than you're willing to give, nothing's likely to make it a more enjoyable experience.

3. You're too smart. Hey, it could happen. Check out your classmates in action during the first week of class. Are you feeling an intense desire to bash your head against the desk because some of these people are just that dense? It sounds callous, but no matter how much you're into the subject or the professor, the class may be ruined for you if you have to share your passion with lamebrains or obnoxious losers.

4. You're not smart enough. Now this could definitely happen. Maybe it wasn't such a hot idea to sign up for English 450: Extensive Analysis of Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphic Drama in your sophomore year. That burning desire to bash your head against the desk might be because you're the one who's just that dense. It's not a pleasant feeling, but you can overcome it with some dedicated studying and concerted, well-timed efforts at class participation. (Hint: Don't fire off an answer if you have no clue what the last person who spoke just said.)

   But if you truly feel the rest of the class is much more passionate than you or already has far more knowledge amassed on the subject than you could ever hope to have, keep your ego healthy. Wish them luck and find a subject (and classmates) better suited to your abilities and comfort level. It's not bad to admit defeat — but it is bad to spend a whole semester just trying to tread water. You can sign up for the class again after you've had a chance to bulk up your mental muscle.

Dealing with these decisions will get easier as your college career progresses: The more classes you have behind you, the clearer you'll understand what you like in a class and what kinds of professors and atmospheres fit you best.

Plus, by the time you're a senior you've probably finished most, if not all, of your core requirements. This'll give you more freedom when picking classes; you can register for whatever strikes you, and if you change your mind once classes start, no biggie, just drop it and try something else.

But if you're not lucky enough to be able to pick and choose classes like they're pieces of fruit at the dining hall, take heart: That's what your advisor's for. S/he will be happy to offer guidance, but remember: You can't expect him or her to make the call for you. S/he's there to advise, not to instruct.

In the end, your gut reaction will make the difference. If you're getting night sweats about your new calculus course and you can fulfill the same math requirement by taking Introduction to Computers, maybe you should stop by the registrar's office to do the add-drop dance. It's your call.

But don't sit back on your haunches, because you're not alone. The rest of the campus is doing the same class evaluation you're doing, and your advisor's open office hours may be filling up as we speak. If you think you might change your schedule, pick up an add-drop form as soon as you start classes to beat the rush — or, just to be safe, keep a couple stashed in a drawer in your room. Your registrar's office should have a bunch or be able to tell you where to get them.

Also, check out the course listings again when classes start. Yeah, you already went through them when you registered, but it's been weeks, even months since then, and tastes change. Something might jump out at you that looks way better than a class you're presently registered for. Go to a session of that class to get a feel for it, and if it's cool, make the switch. Who knows: You might just find you're better off in the class you were originally signed up for. But at least you'll know.

The bottom line on the add-drop period: Don't forget it's there. It can be your savior when you're at the mercy of a class you're just not meant to be in.

And after the hectic add-drop period is over, all that's left is actually taking the courses. No sweat.

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