For the spring semester of 2024, the last day to drop a class with a grade of W is on March 21. The Academic Success Center explains dropping with a W means “you have withdrawn from the class after the start of classes and you are financially responsible for the course and your grade is recorded as a W.”

Students take advantage of dropping with a W because it is better for a student’s GPA, but it can have other consequences. The Academic Success Center explains, “A W is GPA-neutral but there may be other consequences for students who drop multiple classes. It can affect your Financial Aid, your housing or your athletic eligibility, especially if you drop below full-time.”

Before dropping a class, students should speak to their professor, advisor or seek help from on-campus resources like The Learning Center. 

James Boffenmyer, the associate director of The Learning Center, explained that students should go to The Learning Center as soon as they realize they need help. 

“We try to help students as early in the semester as possible with tutoring so that they’re more inclined to pass their classes versus getting help last minute, either right before an exam or right before the drop date,” Boffenmyer said.

“Statistics do show that the more help you get and the earlier you get that help, the more likely you are to not withdraw and pass your classes and move on to the next level,” Boffenmyer continued.

The Learning Center’s course offerings vary throughout the semester and different semesters. 

They offer one-on-one tutoring help, academic strategies coaching, a Supplemental Instruction program, as well as study groups for a lot of the historically difficult courses.

Erynn Bossier, coordinator of learning assistance programs, shared why students may be more comfortable seeking help from The Learning Center. 

“All of our tutors are students, so you do get that peer relationship one-on-one, so it feels a little bit less pressure to come in and get help. You’re not going to your professor, you’re going to another student. So, it might be a little bit easier for someone to come to us rather than going to office hours or something similar to that,” Bossier said.

The tutors at The Learning Center have taken the class and passed with an A or B. 

“They know what’s covered in those courses, but most importantly, what the professor’s expectations are for the students,” Boffenmeyer explained.

Bossier also added that since their tutors have been through the class and understand what is needed to pass, tutors can offer advice for students who are considering dropping a class. 

Boffenmyer explained that despite the many reasons students decide to drop, The Learning Center is there to help. 

“There’s a lot of reasons we hear from students on why they’re dropping classes. It covers the entire spectrum. But regardless, though, I want students to know that free tutoring is available and the hardest thing we see students have to overcome is that fear of asking for help. Students should never have to fear asking for help, never,” Boffenmyer said.

“We’re here to help students, and even if we don’t offer tutoring in a subject that the student needs help in, we’re going to find a resource for that student to utilize because there’s so many resources around the campus that not every student knows,” Boffenmyer continued.

Bailey Anderson, a senior majoring in psychology shared that she has had to drop three different classes, two in the same semester. 

“For the two in the same semester there were many things happening in my home life that prevented me from focusing on school the way that I needed to in order to pass those courses,” Anderson said. “Basically, I had to choose my mental health over my course work. I will say financially I do regret it, but mentally I know that I needed to do what I did.”

Zeke Richmond, a senior criminal justice major, shared he has had to drop a class and did so with a W. 

“It was very easy and simple to complete. No real questions were asked and helped save my GPA,” Richmond said.