By CLAS Advisors
If you have a class that isn’t going according to plan, here are some things to think about before the drop deadline.
There are still six weeks left in the semester to improve your standing. However, if you want to drop a class or withdraw from all classes, you must do so by Monday, April 21, 2025.
How do you decide? Below you’ll find some key questions to help you as well as information on where to get input and how to act once you decide.
Consider the course as a whole
How many assignments are left in this class, and what grades are you likely to earn based on past performance?
What academic support resources are available, and can you make use of them in time?
Does the course allow makeup work?
If you have missed class, how will attendance factor into your grade?
Speak with your course professor or TA about what steps you can take to raise your grade and what outcome may be realistically achieved by the end of the term.
Assess your situation
Will dropping this course allow you to focus on other courses?
Are you facing some challenges that will make it hard to do work for the class going forward?
Are you on academic probation? If so, it’s especially important to be mindful of your grades.
Talk to your advisor about the big picture.
Get input
These sources can provide key information as you make your decision.
Your instructor or TA: Ask, do I have time to recover my grade?
Your academic advisor: Ask, how will this affect my graduation plan or help me balance my current courseload?
Office of Student Financial Aid: Will dropping affect grants, loans, or scholarships?
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) or athletics: Ask, how would my status or eligibility be impacted?
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Programs (CLAS UP) (clas-undergrad@uiowa.edu): Ask, what additional support is there for me if I am a student on academic probation?
Take action
If you plan to stick with your course, now is the time to use all the resources available to you. Check Tutor Iowa for resources related to your class or area of study, as well as the CLAS website for additional workshops and resources. There are also tips available to you about study strategies and boosting motivation.
If you decide to drop a course, go to the Courses/Registration tab on MyUI, log in, and then set the session to Spring 2025. Follow these instructions.
To initiate your drop, click all the way through “I agree to obtain required permissions.”
Note all the permissions required to drop, and contact each area (advisor, ISSS, athletics, etc.).
Once you get all the permissions, you will need to complete the drop or semester withdrawal on your MyUI Courses/Registration page no later than Monday, April 21, 2025.
Did you miss the deadline? It’s never too late to ask for help. Talk to your advisor as soon as possible about your options. If you have extenuating circumstances, you may be able to petition for a late drop of an individual course or late withdraw from the entire semester. Contact clas-undergrad@uiowa.edu for more information.