Should I just withdraw?/Study tips? (humanities)

[premed2216]

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This is going to sound so whiny and I apologize!

I'm a sophomore/junior, but I'm actually leaving college for a couple years to live abroad/gain life experience/learn a new language and I decided last minute to squeeze in a some more classes before I left.

Basically, I enrolled in a general ed/humanities course the day before the add/drop deadline for the summer term (which is only 7 weeks long). Because of this, I missed one third of the class material for the midterm. The class is halfway done and grades are tests are only 40% of the grade. Because of this I really only needed a B average on the midterm and final to get an A in the class.... Well, I ended up getting a C- on the first test (average was a C, highest grade was an B+).

The test was LONG (almost 100 questions) and was basically just a bunch of random details you have to remember from lecture and the readings. It was honestly the most random test I've ever taken. To prepare, I read the chapters and memorized things I thought I needed to know, but I wasn't expecting to be asked such specific questions about random things he said in class.

My sister is an investment banker and apparently withdrew from like 7 classes during undergrad, so she's telling me it's not worth it to stay in the class. But she isn't going to med school or anything haha. I'm pretty sure I can get an A- in the class (I just need an 80+ on the final...which is easier said than done). To get an A in the class, I'd need a 94 on the final, which is actually impossible.

Extra things I'm thinking about. So I know this is going to sound really neurotic, but...I'm a 4.0 student. I've never even gotten a B- on a test let alone a C-. And I wasn't super upset about the grade or anything because I definitely deserved it! But my scholarship is contingent on keeping a 3.9+ and I don't really want to waste a B+/A- on a humanities class... Additionally, my ex-boyfriend is in this class with me and it's really hard for me to focus sometimes.

Lol sorry for the rant. If y'all think I should just suck it up and get a B+/A- in the class, do you have any tips for studying?? Final is in 3 1/2 weeks :/

Thanks!

 

[Phile98]

and I don't really want to waste a B+/A- on a humanities class

Your answer is here. Withdraw. You are not fully invested.

 

[AllBleedingStops]

I'm a sophomore/junior, but I'm actually leaving college for a couple years to live abroad/gain life experience/learn a new language and I decided last minute to squeeze in a some more classes before I left.

This is the part that confuses me. Why not wait until you finish the degree before taking a year or 2 off? Also, if you are a 4.0 student and are certain you can't achieve a B+ or better, just drop.

 

[premed2216]

This is the part that confuses me. Why not wait until you finish the degree before taking a year or 2 off? Also, if you are a 4.0 student and are certain you can't achieve a B+ or better, just drop.

An opportunity presented itself and I'm taking it! I know it's not a normal thing to do, but I don't feel like I have to graduate college at 22 to be successful in life and go to medical school. I'll be living in a very different cultural setting and learning a new language, so I think it will be a humbling experience and perhaps give me a new perspective on life.

I think I can get a B+ or A-... Just don't know if it's worth my effort right now. I'm also taking other classes that pertain to my major that I actually care about

 

[hmockingbird]

I would withdraw especially if it’s not a required credit.

Also want to note my deep hatred for humanities classes like this. Reading comprehension is a fourth grade skill. In college you should be engaging with the readings and focusing on opinions/analysis. That’s why I loved being an English major— I got to write about why I did or did not like a book for my major!! The one time I had a class like this I took meticulous notes in class and studied those and spark notes for the books. I didn’t even bother reading them bc it was more about knowing the quiz material. (ETA: I’ll just share an example. The first test had a question about what someone was wearing on page 432 of the book. Not like, what does the colour say about the character just multiple choice what colour is it. How is that even contributing to my education????? Sadly this was a required class.)

 

[premed2216]

I would withdraw especially if it’s not a required credit.

Also want to note my deep hatred for humanities classes like this. Reading comprehension is a fourth grade skill. In college you should be engaging with the readings and focusing on opinions/analysis. That’s why I loved being an English major— I got to write about why I did or did not like a book for my major!! The one time I had a class like this I took meticulous notes in class and studied those and spark notes for the books. I didn’t even bother reading them bc it was more about knowing the quiz material. (ETA: I’ll just share an example. The first test had a question about what someone was wearing on page 432 of the book. Not like, what does the colour say about the character just multiple choice what colour is it. How is that even contributing to my education????? Sadly this was a required class.)

There's a list of 20+ classes that can fulfill this general requirement, so I could easily enroll in a completely different class later on if I withdraw from this one. And I definitely agree with you about hating these kind of classes. Your comment made me realize I might rather take a literature-based class rather than a straight up history class.

 

[premed2216]

Just found out I will have to pay $10 drop fee + $127 (which is pretty much an arbitrary amount based on the fact I had a full tuition scholarship, so the school is losing money by me dropping the class). It's not a ton of money, but it is definitely an inconvenience to pay ~$140 for a W on my transcript. Should I just stick it out then? I have until midnight to decide.

 

[Goro]

This is going to sound so whiny and I apologize!

I'm a sophomore/junior, but I'm actually leaving college for a couple years to live abroad/gain life experience/learn a new language and I decided last minute to squeeze in a some more classes before I left.

Basically, I enrolled in a general ed/humanities course the day before the add/drop deadline for the summer term (which is only 7 weeks long). Because of this, I missed one third of the class material for the midterm. The class is halfway done and grades are tests are only 40% of the grade. Because of this I really only needed a B average on the midterm and final to get an A in the class.... Well, I ended up getting a C- on the first test (average was a C, highest grade was an B+).

The test was LONG (almost 100 questions) and was basically just a bunch of random details you have to remember from lecture and the readings. It was honestly the most random test I've ever taken.

Take the W. Note the bolded text. MCAT and Boards are a LOT like this, and have > 400 questions.

Why would you take a class where you've missed 1/3rd of the material?

BTW, a 4.0 GPA is like virginity. There comes a time to lose it.

 

[SouthernGent]

Take the W, benefits outweigh the risks. One W will not doom your application.

 

[premed2216]

Officially withdrew! Thanks so much for the advice everyone. I feel waaay better now 🙂