SO YOU GOT BEHIND?
Welcome to the human race! The majority of students do get behind, and that situation comes with a sinking feeling in the pit of the stomach–particularly during summer session when there are only two weeks left before finals!
But maybe all is not lost. Before throwing in the towel and dropping the course, or avoiding thinking about it and hoping somehow things will sort themselves out, here are some tips to help you salvage what can be salvaged and to make a wiser decision.
First, make no decision on impulse. If you’re in panic mode, your rational mind is not serving you well. Give yourself 24 hours to get your head together. Set a timer for an hour. Do your grounding. Take the secure thought that all may not be lost, and that if you do drop the course, that is not the end of your academic career or professional life.
When the hour is up, grab a sheet of paper and make a plan.
Not a decision, just a plan:
1. Take stock.
Check the university calendar to determine the deadline for withdrawing from a course.
Check the course syllabus and note each assignment and how much it counts.
Add up how many credits you have completed–guess for any work not yet graded.
Underline how much each incomplete assignment is worth.
2. Drop perfectionism.
Sometimes a B or C or a D is better than a W. It’s the F that we’re afraid of.
Focus on the assignments that are worth the most–plan to do a creditable, but not exceptional job.
See how much you can trim from the assignments worth less and still get credit for the work.
3. List your resources
This is the time to alert family, roommates, friends, and coworkers that it’s crunch time for you–maybe you can negotiate relief from chores, beg off family events (or excuse yourself ahead of time for minimal attendance), and use personal time off work, if that is possible.
Set a time to meet with your instructor sooner, rather than later, to ask for their advice.
4. Schedule the work.
List the tasks required for each assignment.
Schedule the tasks for the reduced standards performance.
Allow time each day for continuing class attendance and review of notes.
Now mentally review your time management practice and plan how you’re going to maximize your time utilization–think specifics, rather than just good intentions.
Schedule the first task for later today.
5. Wrap.
Review your plan. Put it where you can see it.
Endorse yourself for getting your rational brain on the project.
Give yourself a small reinforcer.
Decision time.
I bet you thought I was going to say make the decision after 24 hours are up.
Nope. The time to make the decision about dropping the course is a day or two before the deadline to drop. By then you will have salvaged more than you have now, and you will have a stronger idea about the probability of saving the course.
Extensions and deferrals.
Before you make that decision to drop, you may wish to ask for an extension or deferral. Make sure that you know the calendar rules for deferrals.
If you are asking for an extension, go in with a plan for how you are going to get the work done. If asked for your reasons, be open. If this is your first six-week course and you didn’t pace yourself appropriately, admit it. And don’t go in at the last minute.
Also, be prepared to be refused. No one is owed an extension. If you are denied, take it in good spirits, thank the instructor for their time, and follow up with an email thanking them and stating that you hope to get the work done by accelerating your plan.
Be aware that a pattern of extensions and deferrals wears weary on instructors. Maybe you and I should meet and strategize so this doesn’t happen in succeeding courses. (That is what I do!)
So if you got behind, you are in a lot of good company. I hope these tips help. Let me know how it goes. [email protected]
The information in this blog cannot take the place of support from your own mental health professional or community health resources. Reach out to them. And IF YOU ARE IN CRISIS PLEASE DIAL 911.