Thinking of dropping a class? Think again.

My Dynamics Professor sent this out this morning. It might change your mind.

Now that the first midterm has been returned, some of you may be asking yourself if you should drop ME242. Here are a few things to consider:

1. Your overall grade reflects both the exam and the homework.

2. If you drop the course now, you will almost certainly take an extra semester to graduate. That equates to about $30,000 in lost salary. If someone paid you $30,000 to pass ME242, could you do it?

3. ALL students can pass ME242 if they put in enough time (albeit some students need more time than others). Ask yourself if you can find another hour everyday to study by giving up something else (again, think in terms of the $30,000 payoff - if someone paid you $30,000 to study instead of watch TV or hang out with friends, could you do it?).

4. If you really don't think you can pass, then you also have to consider that I am teaching ME242 in the fall also. This may be good (same notes, similar exams, etc.) or bad (if you don't like my teaching style or think I'm harder than the other professors).

5. You may be like many students and just cannot find enough time to work, study, spend time with family, etc. If this is the case, you may have taken on too many responsibilities. In this case, dropping is probably the best course of action - but don't delude yourself into thinking you can still graduate in 4 (or even 5) years. The fact that you are very busy this semester is not likely to change in the future.

6. Last day to drop a class is next Friday (March 23rd).

I know this is a tough decision for many students. In the end, make your decision based on the facts not emotion. That's what engineers do!