It's a whole new world on Planet College.

If you are new this term on Planet College you have probably observed by now that there are basically very few rules. You can, if you like, get up and go to class or skip it and sleep in. You can eat or not eat. Study or party. Play nine ball till the campus center closes and ,well, just rock on. This is your choice. You, like many, many student's before are discovering what is called autonomy. Basically beyond the minimums no one is watching and no one else really cares whether you go to class or not. This is exhilarating and scary. Your future is now in your hands. What you do is simply up to you. Some students handle this well and others not so well. You may recall what seems like eons ago when you first stepped on to your high school campus. It was a much bigger world than you had experienced. Now, look out the window during one of your afternoon classes. What do you see? A much, much bigger world than you had previously known. You don't have to be The Little Mermaid to burst out singing, "It's A Whole New World." Don't. But consider. You are here now in a large and significant place. Your choices now will affect you potentially for the rest of your life. Planet College is a whole new world. Persist and do well.

Grade Review Part Two

Having accomplished a grade review for your courses you are aware of where you stand this term. If you are up to date with your assignments and satisfactorily passing each of your courses then your are on track for the term. Keep up the good work.

If, however, one or two courses show problems you have some choices. Let say there is one course in which you have missed several assignments, several class sessions, and not done satisfactorily on the tests. Consider: Can you really get caught up by the end of the term? With all you have going on where will the time and the effort come from? If, after due consideration ,the situation is that you can not get caught up before the end of the term you have some serious decisions to make.

What are your choices?

Can you drop? Can you change your grading status?

If you have done neither of these things before you need to investigate the procedures for each.
Most campuses have a policy for dropping courses. Find out what the policy is for your campus.

On some campuses various grading options are offered. Other than traditional A through F there are also Pass/Fail, credit/no credit and audit. These options are usually offered at registration time and often depend on the course. Not all courses offer every option. On many campuses these options are not available after the term starts without a special petition.

Finally, what ever your decision follow through thoroughly on the procedure. If you are bound to complete the course get help. Many departments offer tutoring and additional help for overworked, overwhelmed students.

If you drop remeber this withdrawal can have an effect on your financial aid status.

If you choose a change of grading status be sure to get the necessary paper work signed and in on time.

What ever you decide your behaviour will have consequences. But most importantly you don't need another D or F. Now is the time to do something.