The Pros and Cons of Retaking Classes

When it comes to retaking classes, here are pros and cons and some tips to set you off on your journey

  1. What was your favorite science pre-req?

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      AP1
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      Micro
    • 4
      Other
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      Neither

  2. Had you ever had to repeat a course?

    • 14
      Yes
    • 16
      No

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The Pros and Cons of Retaking Classes

Retaking a class can be a dreadful thing, emotionally and financially! But as much as it can be a pain, retaking classes does have its benefits. You have advantages. You already know what to expect and have prior knowledge of the material.

PRO

#1 You know what to expect

You already know the syllabus / chronological order of the materials being learned. You may already know how the midterm is set up, the class procedures and how much each assignment is worth.

#2 Depending on your school, the better grade is accepted

I had retaken courses, some because I did not fully grasp the materials and some I took out of sheer boredom! In some colleges and universities (at my present school), there are usually policies where the highest grade is accepted over the lowest. If this is the case, take full advantage of it, especially if you are a GPA person.

#3 Overcome learning obstacles

In every class, there is something that an individual has trouble mastering. When retaking a course over again, you get the opportunity to overcome what you didn't master. For example, if you didn't get something in Professor 1's class relating to bones or whatever, you can have changed to overcome that in the next professor's class.

CON

#1 Finances

When you retake a class, this can possibly wreak havoc when it comes to finances.

#2 Insecurities

Retaking a class, especially if it is your first one, isn't the world's best feeling.  You may feel like you are incompetent or may feel like you are in the wrong major. This is a sucky feeling, which is why it's a con of retaking.

#3 Frustration

There will be times when retaking a class repeatedly that you'll feel like it's simply just a waste of time! But the thing is, remember why you're taking the course no matter how hard it gets.

#4 Learning more the next time

Retaking a class over can help an individual acquire more knowledge than the last time!

TIPS

#1 Don't beat yourself up about retaking a course

I did this during my first time I had to repeat a class. I thought it was basically the end of the world, and I felt so stupid. I let others' negative talk consume me and thought that I wasn't cut out for nursing! But after a few days of beating myself up, I told myself I was going to be a nurse and signed up for my  Summer Semester. Don't ever beat yourself up about retaking a class because you're not the only one!

#2 Figure out where you went wrong

When it came to retaking classes, I figured out the material I didn't get and wrote it down to practice it before class started.  For example, with Anatomy, I didn't get Chemistry and Cytology and Muscle Physiology, so I took extra time to prepare for them!

#3 Prepare in advance

Usually, between semesters, there is usually a 2 to 4-week break. During the break, I always took time to prepare notes before the start of the semester.

#4 Focus more on that class

If you're ever retaking a course, try to focus more on it, by that if you didn't get certain material, from experience if I didn't get a certain thing I put more focus into it.

#5 Pick an easier or more skilled professor

When retaking classes, sometimes the problem is the professor. In my experience, my first anatomy teacher pretty much was a very arrogant person. If you didn't get it, they weren't willing to help, and I noticed how this professor had their favorites (and they could do no wrong in their eyes). Technically they decided if they liked you or not. But during the other attempt, the teacher was very open to questions and was very understanding of each individual's learning styles

#6 Don't give up on your dreams

If you want something really bad, just remember why you want it and keep at it.  A-C grade isn't the end of the world, and it doesn't define you.

Have you ever retaken a class and if so, what was your experience? ? 

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TheNursingdoll

About TheNursingdoll, CNA

Hello there! I am a nursing student hoping to get into my technical school's Fall of 2021 program. If you are a pre-nursing student needing help, I will help in any way possible.

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Specializes in Maternal Newborn and Denials Management.

I had to retake medsurg. I failed the final exam by 2 points. I was devastated and thought about quitting. I ended up taking elective classes the following quarter and re-taking the medsurg class by itself. I passed it and passed the nursing boards on the first attempt. This was 30 years ago and I am still in nursing but not at the bedside. 

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Specializes in Ped ED, PICU, PEDS, M/S. SD.

I had to retake OB because the professors were worthless. Out of 80 students, 66 failed. They failed because their notes/lectures in class were different from the book, and never agreed with each other.  We did not know how to answer the tests, since there are always 2 right answers in the choices. It was so bad, that when we took the class over again in the Spring semester, they refused to let us have recording device in the class for lectures to prove it. Something never denied in any other class. We would show them in our notes. Everyone had the same thing, they stilled denied. This is why I don't trust nursing professors and I am fighting tooth and nail not to get my BSN. I will never again support a system that purposely fails people so they can have a power trip. This school was Indiana State University. 

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3 minutes ago, Dacatster said:

I had to retake OB because the professors were worthless. Out of 80 students, 66 failed. They failed because their notes/lectures in class were different from the book, and never agreed with each other.  We did not know how to answer the tests, since there are always 2 right answers in the choices. It was so bad, that when we took the class over again in the Spring semester, they refused to let us have recording device in the class for lectures to prove it. Something never denied in any other class. We would show them in our notes. Everyone had the same thing, they stilled denied. This is why I don't trust nursing professors and I am fighting tooth and nail not to get my BSN. I will never again support a system that purposely fails people so they can have a power trip. This school was Indiana State University. 

I'm so sorry about this ? I'm going through this now (although I'm not in a program) at my current community college. Also if this helps you can report them to the system above the school. Good luck , I know you're gonna make it through

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Specializes in Ped ED, PICU, PEDS, M/S. SD.
10 minutes ago, TheNursingdoll said:

I'm so sorry about this ? I'm going through this now (although I'm not in a program) at my current community college. Also if this helps you can report them to the system above the school. Good luck , I know you're gonna make it through

Thank you, I been a nurse for 22 years. Passed the NCLEX first time with 75 Q. We did go thru the ranks and we were pretty much told to suck it up. Refused to listen or look at proof. That is why they refused to let us record the class retake. 

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4 minutes ago, Dacatster said:

Thank you, I been a nurse for 22 years. Passed the NCLEX first time with 75 Q. We did go thru the ranks and we were pretty much told to suck it up. Refused to listen or look at proof. That is why they refused to let us record the class retake. 

That's so crazy , the teachers seem vile. 

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Specializes in ICU/ER/Med-Surg/Case Management/Manageme.

This may seem like a silly answer to your question so I'm hoping you'll take it the way I mean it.

No, I never had to re-take a nursing course.  However, in my very early senior years - I was about 59-60 -, I decided to train my 70 pound young dog in agility.  We had to take 3 6-week pre-agility classes (at significant cost) prior to being enrolled in the actual agility classes.  He was a youngish hound dog, full of energy.  We passed the pre 1 & 2 classes, and during pre 3 he did great!  Fantastic!  Until the final test night when he decided to go crazy.  We failed. I was incredibly disappointed (and told him I was dropping him off at the dog pound on the way home!  LOL). Had to wait 3 months for the next pre 3 class.  SMH  Anyway, I later realized re-taking that class really helped both of us tremendously in later years.  I was able to focus on honing my handler skills, he grew up a little bit in those few months and he, too, became more focused.  If I had it to do all over again, I'd retake that final pre 3 class regardless of a pass/fail situation. 

We had a wonderful 14 year run together - enjoying traveling all over competing in agility (never high level champs but had fun!), and later enjoying slow, leisurely walks in our "golden" years.  With all this said, enjoy the benefits of repeating a class.  It will serve you well later on. Best of luck to you! 

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1 hour ago, DallasRN said:

This may seem like a silly answer to your question so I'm hoping you'll take it the way I mean it.

No, I never had to re-take a nursing course.  However, in my very early senior years - I was about 59-60 -, I decided to train my 70 pound young dog in agility.  We had to take 3 6-week pre-agility classes (at significant cost) prior to being enrolled in the actual agility classes.  He was a youngish hound dog, full of energy.  We passed the pre 1 & 2 classes, and during pre 3 he did great!  Fantastic!  Until the final test night when he decided to go crazy.  We failed. I was incredibly disappointed (and told him I was dropping him off at the dog pound on the way home!  LOL). Had to wait 3 months for the next pre 3 class.  SMH  Anyway, I later realized re-taking that class really helped both of us tremendously in later years.  I was able to focus on honing my handler skills, he grew up a little bit in those few months and he, too, became more focused.  If I had it to do all over again, I'd retake that final pre 3 class regardless of a pass/fail situation. 

We had a wonderful 14 year run together - enjoying traveling all over competing in agility (never high level champs but had fun!), and later enjoying slow, leisurely walks in our "golden" years.  With all this said, enjoy the benefits of repeating a class.  It will serve you well later on. Best of luck to you! 

This warmed my heart ❤️ 

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On 4/24/2021 at 5:48 PM, Dacatster said:

I had to retake OB because the professors were worthless. Out of 80 students, 66 failed. They failed because their notes/lectures in class were different from the book, and never agreed with each other.  We did not know how to answer the tests, since there are always 2 right answers in the choices. It was so bad, that when we took the class over again in the Spring semester, they refused to let us have recording device in the class for lectures to prove it. Something never denied in any other class. We would show them in our notes. Everyone had the same thing, they stilled denied. This is why I don't trust nursing professors and I am fighting tooth and nail not to get my BSN. I will never again support a system that purposely fails people so they can have a power trip. This school was Indiana State University. 

Most of the professors are always worthless. They don't know how to teach the students besides reading PowerPoint. Can't answer questions when asked, but will *** you when you score 87.8% instead of 88% to pass. I have a plan to change the whole curriculum of nursing in the future.

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Specializes in Physiology, CM, consulting, nsg edu, LNC, COB.

I took the required intro psych twice at my first college, bombing it first semester, not realizing that there are two different kinds of intro psych. When I sat down for the final the second time I realized I wasn’t going to do any better, and walked out.
This experience, and one other not related to academics, crystallized my realization that the college I attended as an early decision applicant because I lacked the confidence to widen my horizons was the wrong place for me. I applied for transfer to a big university excellent college of nursing and was accepted in a week into the sophomore year (good for the old self-confidence) but decided to defer and took a year off, worked full time as a nurses aide in a teaching hospital. Learned a ton of psychomotor skills- patient handling and more, time management, accountability, charting, and teamwork, all of which served me well as I started clinicals when I went back to school.

I took the university’s intro psych in Summer before I started back, and it was a revelation. Totally different, much more applicable to my long term needs. Started as a sophomore (we did 3 days of clinical per week for three years in addition to taking academic classes and all the lab sciences AND working 24 hrs/week at my old aide job), graduated three years later c a bachelors from a top three program and never looked back. Sometimes all you need is a change of scene.

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