Troubleshooting in POL242y

Technology

Confidence

Motivation

Time Constraints

Reasons Not Drop POL242y

Steps Involved in Dropping Out

Technology

• If your computer does not work very well you can try using computers available on campus or during the tutorials
• Report any specific problems to your T.A. immediately Your T.A. will attempt to help with the problem and take the problem into account when marking your assignment
• Discuss your technical problems with other students in the class. Often they have had the same problem and have some ideas on how to remedy it
• Attend and participate in labs and become comfortable with the software and technical aspects at that time
• Attend tutorial to use the computers so that you can take advantage of the T.A.s since they are available to help you with any technical issues that occur at that time. Save the write-up to do at home unless you have time after doing all the technical work during the tutorial.

Confidence

If you do not feel you have the ability to do well at the class

• Keep in mind the material is new to almost everybody in the class.
• Don’t sweat the details. You don’t need to understand all the technical aspects of the material to do well. Identify what of the material is just background information and what you will need to know to complete the assignments. Talk to your T.A. about this if you are unsure.
• Talk to your classmates and about problems you are having with the material. Arrange to meet with them in tutorial so you can work on assignments together
• Attend tutorial and raise the problems you are having there with your T.A. and classmates. Suggest to your T.A. that an informal lesson be taught on a topic if several of you are having difficulties with it.
• Arrange to meet with your T.A. to get extra help and identify your problem areas so you can target them.
• Arrange to meet with the professor to discuss how you might raise your mark.

Motivation

• If you do not feel motivated to do well in/attend the class
• Identify your personal learning preferences. Do you prefer face-to-face interaction? Working independently? Working in a group or as an individual? Try to arrange to accommodate these preferences or, if you are not sure how, discuss them with your T.A..
• Arrange to reward yourself upon completion of assignments. If you are having trouble maintaining attendance to the lectures, labs and tutorials arrange to do something you enjoy afterwards like meet a friend or go out to lunch nearby.
• Take some time to browse the codebooks for political issues that you have some interest in. Interested in gay marriage? Terrorism? Voting? Pursue your interest in your assignments so that you find out answers to questions that you want to know anyway.
• Can’t find anything of particular interest in the codebooks? Talk to your T.A. about what you are interested in as soon as possible. Since they are extremely familiar with the codebooks they will be able to point you to something along the same direction as your interests.
• Talk to your classmates about what they are working on. Think about variations on their topics that might interest you.

Time

• Time constraints are preventing you from meeting the course requirements
• Keep in mind that you will likely have to take the course anyway. Given this, now is as good a time as any. Taking the course in summer school is even more difficult because the course is compacted, so it is generally better to take the course in the fall/winter term.
• To do well you must dedicate a significant amount of time and effort, especially if you are struggling. Consider whether there are any less important courses that you can drop instead. Also consider whether or not there are some recreational/elective activities that you could cut back on for the time being until you get back on your feet in the course.
• Consider whether or not you can combine course work with that in another class by using your statistical research as the basis for an essay in another course.
• If you have significant overlaps in deadlines with another course, talk to T.A. or professor for that course They may be able to grant you an extension or some other form of consideration.
• Make the most of your time by attending and participating in labs and tutorials. This will cut the time you spend on assignments because you will not have to struggle to understand on your own.

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Reasons Not Drop POL242y

o There are definitely other options

o The troubleshooting tips will help you identify your options and give you some ideas as to what you might try before resorting to dropping

o Program Requirements

o POL242 is a requirement in completing the political science specialist program

o You will have to take it sooner or later, or you will have to change programs entirely

o Whether or not POL242 is a requirement for you or not, you are likely to find the experience valuable and rewarding

o A sense of accomplishment

o You will also have learned a new skill by the end of the course that few people know.

o These skills are very attractive to potential employers.

o You will gain a new understanding of research references that you encounter on a daily basis in the news, on television and in conversation with friends and co-workers.

o Immediate Financial Reasons

o Even if you drop before the deadline for academic penalty, you may still have to pay for the course if you drop after the deadline to receive a full refund

o Dropping a class after the deadline to add classes might change your status from a full to a part-time student. You are not eligible for OSAP or the SAC insurance plan if you are a part-time student, many scholarships also require that you maintain full-time status

o If you drop after the deadline to add classes then another student cannot take your place in the class.

o Since you have taken the seat from other students who need to take the class, you should take full advantage of the opportunity

Steps to Dropping POL242y

Dropping a course is a serious decision that should be taken only after you:

· Think about what you might do to stay in the course;

· Discuss problems with other students and solutions that they have tried;

· Attend tutorials and address any issues there;

· Talk with your T.A. about how you might stay in the class;

· Meet with the professor about how you might remedy the situation;

· Discuss the situation with an academic counselor at your college;

If you still want to drop, let the professor and T.A. know before doing so