<p>Tiger09 - my D had a friend who was failing a class. The advisor recommended the student stay in the class and try to do better. The professor was not helpful at all - the student was totally confused and could get no help. They tried the Academic Resource Center - no help from them either - the advice was to hire a private tutor. The student did not have the resources to hire a private tutor and did not have their own transport to meet with a private tutor off campus.</p>
<p>The following year the student found out their roommate had been taking the exact same course and had the exact same problem - that student was advised by both their academic advisor to withdraw from the class - the professor also advised them to drop the class.</p>
<p>Two students - same year - different academic advisors - different profs - same class.</p>
<p>Undergrad advising and help at Duke is hit and miss depending on what type of advice you got. The student who received a failing grade in the class will always have that on their record and starts their freshman year in the hole - their advisor was a nonacademic in a support department. The student who dropped the class had an advisor who was an academic.</p>
<p>The type of situation you describe happens more than you think. There is no re do on classes. Once you receive a grade you are stuck with it!</p>