What choice should I make?

People withdraw from classes for any number of reasons. It doesn't automatically mean you failed! Just re-take the class with another professor. If you are ever asked why you withdrew you can always make up some good excuse. I had it worse. My professor of chemistry wrote the textbook that we used!!!! He never lectured from the book--just told us to read it and he talked about other things in class.

The trick with chemistry is that you have to be on your toes and start studying from Day 1. Everything in chemistry builds upon what you learned from the previous lesson--that's the same way it is in math classes. So, from Day 1 start making flashcards and memorizing atomic numbers, valences and the shorthand symbols for the elements because you need to be able to recall this information from memory on future tests. And, don't get behind with the learning of each chapter or you will be doomed.

Here are some websites to help with studying chemistry. You can do this if you knuckle down and put your nose to the grindstone. Chemistry is really not as hard as people might want to make it. It is extremely logical and rational. And, that is a theme through all of nursing--logic and rational thinking.

• http://regentsprep.org/Regents/chem/onlineresources/index.cfm
• http://dbhs.wvusd.k12.ca.us/webdocs/ChemTeamIndex.html

One "W" is not the end of the world. As the previous poster responded, there are a number of reasons why people withdraw from classes. If I were you, I would continue taking classes at SFSU. Retake the Chem class; be sure it's a different professor and ace the class. Chem is one of the most challenging classes for many pre-nursing students to take. It requires you to know some algebra, fractions, and reactions. Get a tutor, make flashcards, and practice/read every night. It is not a subject you can cram the night before! You'll need these same skills when you take Anatomy, Physiology and the actual nursing classes.

You can do it. Just don't freak out just because you've had one setback. Believe me, there are nurses out there who have triumphed over life's bumps in the road! Now that you've finished your turkey dinner, gear yourself up to finish the rest of your classes with flying colors! Good luck!

One W for which you can provide a reason, will not cause you a problem. But do not be like one of my relatives. She withdrew from every class whenever she thought she would get an A- rather than an A. A string of W's over several semesters sends a message to the honchos that you are "playing" the system. I actually had the Dean of the School of Nursing call me on the phone and accuse me of such behavior when I was forced to withdraw from school for medical reasons. She threatened that she was going to see that I never graduated, and she said she was calling the head of the department of my minor. I should have sued her. I went to the Student Grievance Committee and was told there was nothing I could do. This was an isolated incident I suppose. I totally withdrew from school. I had a doctor's excuse. I still think that one W will not hurt you. Not many people are as power crazy or as obstinate as that woman was. Just make certain you don't start getting W's on a regular basis. Hope my story didn't scare you off. It is based on the extreme end of the spectrum. Not the norm at all.