Should I drop a class?

[PB2464]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I just started an informal post-bac. I'm 29 and finished my Biology degree in 2000. At first, I was fully comfortable with the thought of returning to school full-time. But now, after my second day of class, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. Going from a full-time job to full-time studying is not easy.

I'm enrolled in 13 hrs, no labs:
Bio I
Gen Chem I
Phys I
Precalculus

I'm starting to remember how much time Gen Chem and Physics take. My adviser said that it would be best to take a full course load to prove my current abilities. But, I'm hesitant about this. I think I'd feel better to take it a little slow and possibly drop Pre-Calc, leaving only 10 hrs. But, I don't want this to spoil my chances of getting into med school. I could even take a full load next semester (Phys II, Chem II, Bio II, Pre-calc) once I'm more adapted. Btw, I'm retaking all of my prereqs because they are "outdated", to help prep for the MCAT, and because I received a couple bad grades in Phys/O-Chem. Any advice/suggestions?

Thanks

 

[poly800rock]

our school had the basic same thing. except pre-calc is replaced with another random extra and chem is replaced with o-chem. it's managable, just need to put in the work.

 

[Meatwad]

That combo is not bad at all; don't drop. If you aren't working a lot, you'll find yourself bored with only three classes (sans labs). Don't worry, you'll be fine.

 

[ScubaEMT]

If you think that you might end up not doing well because of this load, perhaps you should drop one so that you can have time to get back in the swing of things....

Whats going to look worse on your application? One less class this semester or crappy grades because you werent ready?

 

[zed350]

I just started an informal post-bac. I'm 29 and finished my Biology degree in 2000. At first, I was fully comfortable with the thought of returning to school full-time. But now, after my second day of class, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. Going from a full-time job to full-time studying is not easy.

I'm enrolled in 13 hrs, no labs:
Bio I
Gen Chem I
Phys I
Precalculus

I'm starting to remember how much time Gen Chem and Physics take. My adviser said that it would be best to take a full course load to prove my current abilities. But, I'm hesitant about this. I think I'd feel better to take it a little slow and possibly drop Pre-Calc, leaving only 10 hrs. But, I don't want this to spoil my chances of getting into med school. I could even take a full load next semester (Phys II, Chem II, Bio II, Pre-calc) once I'm more adapted. Btw, I'm retaking all of my prereqs because they are "outdated", to help prep for the MCAT, and because I received a couple bad grades in Phys/O-Chem. Any advice/suggestions?

Thanks

Its perfectly normal dont worry...I am a non-trad like yourself and at beginning of every semester i am sick to my stomach and feel lil overwhelmed but believe me it eases out considerably as the semester goes on. I have been taking 15-17 units every semester and i still have enough time to spare. You might actually get 'Bored' if you take 10 units or less...but you also need to keep your own abilities in your mind...getting a bad grade is much worse than getting bored.

Best of Luck !

 

[gman33]

I think your first priority is to get high grades, hopefully A's. If this is your first semester back, I would recommend taking fewer classes if in doubt. Then if you get all A's and think you can handle more work, take more credits the next semester. Its true that schools like to see you can handle a full load, but if your GPA isn't competitive, then it doesn't matter anyway. I personally think a science class with a lab is about as much work as 2 non-science classes.

 

[tc13]

Its tough, but without labs you should be ok. Stay ahead. I took gchem2, phys1, bio2, and all labs one semester while working full time. I always felt rushed and behind, but got all A's. I didn't repeat that kind of load again until now. Advisor's comments of "you need to show them you can take a full load" still haunt me. So this semester I'm in biochem1, two neuro sci class, and an upper lever psych class - no labs, but still working. Hang in there. There are a lot of us doing it and still getting good grades. It is tough.

 

[njbmd]

I just started an informal post-bac. I'm 29 and finished my Biology degree in 2000. At first, I was fully comfortable with the thought of returning to school full-time. But now, after my second day of class, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. Going from a full-time job to full-time studying is not easy.

I'm enrolled in 13 hrs, no labs:
Bio I
Gen Chem I
Phys I
Precalculus

I'm starting to remember how much time Gen Chem and Physics take. My adviser said that it would be best to take a full course load to prove my current abilities. But, I'm hesitant about this. I think I'd feel better to take it a little slow and possibly drop Pre-Calc, leaving only 10 hrs. But, I don't want this to spoil my chances of getting into med school. I could even take a full load next semester (Phys II, Chem II, Bio II, Pre-calc) once I'm more adapted. Btw, I'm retaking all of my prereqs because they are "outdated", to help prep for the MCAT, and because I received a couple bad grades in Phys/O-Chem. Any advice/suggestions?

Thanks

If you are overwhelmed then drop. Since you already have a bachelors degree, you don't have to "prove" that you can handle a full-time course load. Quality trumps quantity in this case. It's better to start slow and do well, after which, you can ratchet up. Don't get yourself in a hole because someone urges to you take more coursework. Get comfortable and do well at first, the take more if you feel that you want to.

 

[PB2464]

Thanks for all of the feedback!
I think I will stick with it for a week or so and see how things go. I'm pretty sure I have up until 8/31 to drop w/o receiving a "W".

 

[PB2464]

-

 

[PB2464]

Well, I have three more days until I can drop and not receive a W. Things are going pretty well. I'm completely caught up in all of my classes...perfect quiz scores in every course. But, I still feel like I'm not committing enough time to my prereqs because of that precalc course. Physics is giving me a hard time, but I've heard that this course takes more work at the beginning.
Let me add a little. I graduated approx 7 yrs ago and only have an approx 3.3 GPA with approx 3.13 BCMP. Plus, I already took the courses 7-10 yrs ago.
Should I just work harder and keep the all of my courses? I have a feeling that I may hurt myself if I drop since I really do think I need to "prove" myself.
I'm just really confused on what I should do. Would it be smart to just put less work into precalc, since it's not a prereq (at most schools)?

 

[njbmd]

Well, I have three more days until I can drop and not receive a W. Things are going pretty well. I'm completely caught up in all of my classes...perfect quiz scores in every course. But, I still like I'm not committing enough time to my prereqs because of that precalc course. Physics is giving me a hard time, but I've heard that this course takes more work at the beginning.
Let me add a little. I graduated approx 7 yrs ago and only have an approx 3.3 GPA with approx 3.13 BCMP.
Should I just work harder and keep the all of my courses? I have a feeling that I may hurt myself if I drop.
Sorry

Dropping hurts far less than not getting a competitive grade (no grade less than B+). Quality trumps Quantity here.

 

[PTtoMD]

I bet you will surprise yourself with how well you can manage. Since this is your second round at all of these courses and you were a BIO major, it should come much easier. It is more of a review for you.
Of course as everyone says, if in doubt DROP!
Good Luck.

 

[PB2464]

Dropping hurts far less than not getting a competitive grade (no grade less than B+). Quality trumps Quantity here.

I'm really agreeing with you here. It's not that I can't handle it. I just don't want to take the risk my first semester. On top of that, I start volunteering soon at the local hospital and already have a shadowing role lined up.
Precalc isn't something I need to retake anyway. It's more of a fluff class now. I originally started with precalc because I thought my math was not up to par, which it actually is.
I think I'll drop and take a full load next semester if I handle this semester okay.
It seems as if lots of post-bacc students take part-time hrs anyway. I know many of them are working. Do the adcoms actually know if you were working when you apply to the school? Does volunteering/shadowing count?

 

[Empi]

Personally, I couldn't handle the Chem, Physics, and Calc all together.

If it was review for me, I might. For example, I could take the Chem and Genetics I took last year and add Physics because it would be reviewing stuff I already know.

I agree about the good grades being more important than proving you can handle a challenging schedule.

 

[efex101]

You need to get A's or "maybe" a B+...as a returning student trying to prove that you can do extremely well in academia. I would for sure drop a class IF you think you will do as well as you should. You have plenty of time but ONE bad or soso grade and really bring your numbers down and *that* will stay forever.

 

[PB2464]

Okay, the course has been dropped.
Thanks everyone for the input.
Now let's get some A's!

 

[Empi]

In my freshman year, I *had* to drop my gen chem class because the professor was completely insane.

I'm embarassed to say this is when I learned about ratemyprofessor.com.

His ratings were completely accurate. I was paranoid about chem, but I took it again with another professor and got an A-.

Sometimes, dropping a class simply makes sense.