Is this a valid reason to withdraw from course?

findananswer9 · July 6

I can withdraw it's still open to do so however I need "circumstances clearly beyond the student’s control" reason.

Right now a sibling is undergoing a divorce and it has effected my way of studying of having to attend to my sibling and it has emotional stress on me because it is effecting someone I care about. Could this be considered a valid reason to withdraw from the course. I need approval from my instructor and the dean to withdraw. Thank you for reading and responding to my post if you do respond with sincerity.

happymomof1 · July 6

Talk with the dean and with the counseling center on your campus. This could well qualify as a family emergency. If it doesn't, the therapists at the counseling center can help you develop the skills you need to put boundaries between yourself and your sibling. You want to be supportive, but your sibling's crisis should not be taking over your life.

happy1 · July 6

It is the opinion of the dean and the professor that matter, not ours. Put together a list of talking points that focus on the impact of your sibling's divorce on your and discuss with them ASAP.

NJSue · July 7

Normally course withdrawals by the scheduled deadline do not require any special approvals. That you need approval from the instructor and the dean to withdraw indicates to me that this is a late or emergency retroactive withdrawal request. Also, are you applying to withdraw from all your classes, or just the one? At many institutions late withdrawals must be for all classes a student is currently registered in (i.e. you can't pick and choose the one that you happen not to be doing well in).

In my experience as a college administrator, only illness (the student's), bereavement (death of immediate family member), or taking family leave to care for a sick child or parent would qualify as appropriate circumstances for retroactive withdrawal. Without more information, I don't think a sibling going through a divorce would qualify as a reason. Most people do have to deal with the suffering of those close to them, but they also still have to perform at work or in school. That's life. However, it doesn't hurt to lay out reasons why this situation is unusually hard for you and ask for consideration. Just don't get your hopes up.

compmom · July 7

Would you get a W on your transcript? Are you trying to get some sort of medical withdrawal for stress in order to avoid the W?

I frankly think this is a weak argument for withdrawal if the college has those requirements. Have you seen a therapist? That might help. But then you would be basing your request on your own mental health, not your sister's divorce.

Many students have hardships but continue to do their academic work. If you are unable to do that, then, no matter what happens with the withdrawal, I hope you are seeking someone to talk to. Good luck.

HPuck35 · July 7

As stated previously only the college officials know the answer to your question. The bigger question is why you believe this is an issue that would cause to have to withdraw.

You will go thru life and many issues will come up. Will they cause you to have take time off from work or otherwise affect your work performance? Or other disruptions in your life. I believe that you need to be able to compartmentalize these issues and therefore still be able to function.

A divorce can take some time before it is finalized. Do you plan on putting your life on hold for that entire time?

sylvan8798 · July 7

If I were your instructor (and I'm an adjunct, so in theory I could be), I would not approve this as a reason.

blossom · July 7

OP- focus on the actual impact this is having on you, not the root cause. So-
"I no longer have a private place to study and concentrate because multiple extended family members have moved in with me" is a lot more compelling then "I'm so worried about my sibling that I can't study". Or "I no longer have access to a computer in the evening when I need to log on to review sessions because I am sharing a computer with another family member who needs it for work". Or "my living space is no longer quiet between 7 pm and 1 am so I am finding it difficult to complete assignments when due". Or whatever the truth is in your situation.

I think Deans are being somewhat generous right now- students are having to share living spaces with multiple people, their homes are no longer quiet in the evening if 5 noisy nephews have moved back home, etc. So that's in your favor- thank you Covid. But being generally distressed over a siblings predicament seems like a stretch.... unless it's actually having an impact on you.....

austinmshauri · July 7

Is this the college you were attending in 2018 when you were on the brink of losing your financial aid for not meeting satisfactory academic progress? Since finances are an issue I would stay in the class if there's any way you can figure out how to focus enough to pass it.

If you've been in college for nearly 10 years, you're not 18. And you've been struggling for a long time before this, right? Taking classes, failing, and retaking them is time consuming and expensive. I think you need to figure out why you're struggling so much. Is there a counselor at the school? They may be able to advise you.

CheddarcheeseMN · July 8

Agree that a divorce can take a long time and then after it is finalized the sibling may also continue to be unhappy - this could go on for years. Then an older relative might develop health problems that also might last for years.

Is this a valid reason to withdraw from course?

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