Vitoria Segnini, a Business Administration major, says, “In Pre-calculus I got an A, I got maybe two or three exercises wrong, but I failed in the class that is before precalculus.”
The way in which a class is delivered for some can be the difference in failing or passing a class.
“It was an online class. I did have a professor, but the whole class was taught through a software teaching us and giving us exercises,” she says.
The software, Aleks, provides students with Math exercises to complete and will not allow students to progress unless they can answer every question correctly.
Segnini says, “I really had a hard time, I failed not because I got a bad grade, but because I didn’t finish it because I was really, really frustrated.”
Segnini isn’t alone in failing a class and many can become discouraged when they see the impact it can have on their GPA. While professors and advisors both agree that repairing transcripts is possible, there is a distinction between an F on a student’s transcript which determines how they should go about it.
English Professor Dr. Edward Carmien explains, “To fail a class is to have attempted the work of the class, but fall short of accomplishing success. To withdraw from a class is to administratively pull out of a class.”
Students who are looking to improve their GPA after failing a class should consider re-taking it.
Honors Advisor Eugene Mok says that “When re-taking a class, only the most recent attempt counts towards GPA calculation.”
While graduating with an Associate’s Degree from Mercer requires a 2.0 GPA, for those who are aiming to transfer into a four-year college a higher GPA may be required depending on the school they wish to transfer into.
Mok adds, “Students do not have to retake a class after a failed attempt, but choosing not to retake the class severely depresses their overall GPA and can affect their progress towards degree completion.”
In some instances students may have the option to withdraw from a class to prevent bringing down their GPAs.
Appearing as a ‘W’ on a student’s transcript, when done before the withdrawal deadline, withdrawing from a class can allow students who may be struggling with extenuating circumstances to take a step back and come back to the course at a later date without their GPA taking a hit.
English Professor Dr. Bettina Calouri shares, “I think that not keeping pace with a course leads to withdrawals” adding, “Students may think they will be able to catch up, but everything quickly becomes overwhelming, especially when the homework assignments prepare students for the bigger graded assignments”.
With the withdrawal deadline approaching on Wednesday, April 20, students should first discuss their options with their professors before making a decision.
Dr. Calouri says, “If students are wondering whether to withdraw, the first thing they need is a realistic sense about their standing in a course. For this, they need to talk to their professors.”
If students do not withdraw by the deadline it will result in a grade other than a W on their transcript (usually an F). Business and STEM Professor Dr Andrea Lynch shares that when it comes to bouncing back after failing a class persistence is key.
Dr. Lynch says, “I did see a student once take a course three times; first time they got an F; next time a D (which does not transfer); and the final time they passed with a C.” She adds, “I respect that type of diligence and persistence. Students with that type of determination do not fail – they sharpen their skills as they grow.”
