06-01-2009 at 04:25 PM
|
#1
|
|
Elite Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 701
Thanked:
31 Times
Liked:
90 Times
|
One bad course
Hi!
I was wondering. If you have like 1-2 bad courses and the rest are okay would it be worth it re-doing the bad courses since these bad courses just bring your average wayy down so that it sort of evens out?
|
|
06-01-2009 at 04:43 PM
|
#2
|
|
Elite Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,034
Thanked:
143 Times
Liked:
98 Times
|
why don't you do a new course in subject you are good at? is redo's waited more or something?
|
|
06-01-2009 at 04:52 PM
|
#3
|
|
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 12,484
Thanked:
1,629 Times
Liked:
604 Times
|
No, redos are just like taking a new course. The only reason you should do a redo is if the course is a prerequisite for something and the grade matters. That's what I believe anyways. Another reason is if you didn't really understand the material but you are going deeper into the material in later years. It's very important to start off with a strong base.
__________________
Jeremy Han
McMaster Alumni - Honours Molecular Biology and Genetics
Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University Third Year - Doctor of Optometry
|
|
06-01-2009 at 06:22 PM
|
#4
|
|
MacInsiders VP
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,615
Thanked:
912 Times
Liked:
506 Times
|
Except when you re-do a course you aren't gaining any credits...so you're double spending your time and money to get a better grade.
__________________
McMaster Combined Honours Cultural Studies & Critical Theory and Anthropology: 2008
McMaster Honours English with a minor in Indigenous Studies: 2010
Carleton University Masters of Arts in Canadian Studies: 2012 (expected)
We are people of this generation, bred in at least modest comfort, housed in universities, looking uncomfortably into the world we inherit. -- Port Huron Statement
|
|
06-01-2009 at 06:48 PM
|
#5
|
|
Elite Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 701
Thanked:
31 Times
Liked:
90 Times
|
well it would be a good idea if you need this course right? and i know you don't really gain credits but what happens to the old course.. since re-doing is like an upgrade to your mark?
|
|
06-01-2009 at 07:01 PM
|
#6
|
|
Elite Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,841
Thanked:
229 Times
Liked:
349 Times
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by patelp
well it would be a good idea if you need this course right? and i know you don't really gain credits but what happens to the old course.. since re-doing is like an upgrade to your mark?
|
They average your marks I believe.
__________________
Gregory Darkeff
Alumni 2011 - Honors Commerce and Economics Minor
|
|
06-01-2009 at 08:29 PM
|
#7
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 102
Thanked:
7 Times
Liked:
1 Time
|
Yes, I believe they just take the average. Just because you took the same course again, they just don't get rid of the old one, it stays on your transcript. So it's not really an 'upgrade'. It's more like taking a new course without earning any new credits. So unless you failed and have to retake it, I don't think it's worth time and money to retake the same course just to get a better mark.
Last edited by raine : 06-01-2009 at 08:31 PM.
|
|
06-01-2009 at 09:27 PM
|
#8
|
|
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 12,484
Thanked:
1,629 Times
Liked:
604 Times
|
Or like I said, if it is needed to enter graduate school since they look at the grades of your prerequisites.
__________________
Jeremy Han
McMaster Alumni - Honours Molecular Biology and Genetics
Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University Third Year - Doctor of Optometry
|
|
06-03-2009 at 12:25 PM
|
#9
|
|
Elite Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 1,538
Thanked:
274 Times
Liked:
529 Times
|
I got some terrible marks first year....I brought up my average to a respectable one without upgrading anything.
Think about it, if you re-do the difficult course, you'll find it difficult again, and potentially may not get the grade you hope for, to boost your GPA.
However if you take a course you know you'll do well in and get a solid grade...then your GPA goes up, and you get credit for it.
|
|
06-03-2009 at 01:59 PM
|
#10
|
|
Elite Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,069
Thanked:
318 Times
Liked:
361 Times
|
Imo, it's a waste of time and money to redo a course unless you absolutely failed it. If you've only done bad on 1 or 2 courses, if you do well on all your other courses, it won't affect your average much.
I got a 6 on a course (personal problems, etc), but I still have a good CA. Just focus on doing well on your other courses and you shouldn't have any problems.
|
|
06-03-2009 at 07:09 PM
|
#11
|
|
Elite Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 370
Thanked:
62 Times
Liked:
40 Times
|
If the course was difficult the first time, there's no guarantee that the course will be easier the second time you take it.
Unless you failed the course or absolutely need it as a prerequisite, I say don't retake the course. It may not be worth taking the chance.
|
|
06-03-2009 at 10:20 PM
|
#12
|
|
Elite Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,218
Thanked:
176 Times
Liked:
120 Times
|
They do not average your marks. Don't re-take the course, trust me. I went to an academic advisor after I pretty much almost failed logic. She said, "accept defeat, and move on." If you really want you can sit in the lecture and learn the stuff to help you in the future. However, the money is not well spent on a course you've taken. Instead, focus on your strengths so you can boost your GPA back up.
|
|
06-04-2009 at 12:00 AM
|
#13
|
|
Elite Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,034
Thanked:
143 Times
Liked:
98 Times
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by ferreinm
They do not average your marks. Don't re-take the course, trust me. I went to an academic advisor after I pretty much almost failed logic. She said, "accept defeat, and move on." If you really want you can sit in the lecture and learn the stuff to help you in the future. However, the money is not well spent on a course you've taken. Instead, focus on your strengths so you can boost your GPA back up.
|
what?... they don't average? What do they do with an upgraded mark? It's like you never retook it then? People are saying that they average it and now I'm confused about this. So if you wanted to upgrade a mark for a program prerequisite you can't do that then? |
|
06-04-2009 at 12:12 AM
|
#14
|
|
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 12,484
Thanked:
1,629 Times
Liked:
604 Times
|
It's just like any other course except you don't get anymore credits towards your degree.
I still believe you should retake the course if it's a prerequisite for grad school. They require a certain average INCLUDING the prerequisite courses, so it's better if you have a better mark.
__________________
Jeremy Han
McMaster Alumni - Honours Molecular Biology and Genetics
Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University Third Year - Doctor of Optometry
|
| Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
McMaster University News and Information, Student-run Community, with topics ranging from Student Life, Advice, News, Events, and General Help.
Notice: The views and opinions expressed in this page are strictly those of the student(s) who authored the content. The contents of this page have not been reviewed or approved by McMaster University or the MSU (McMaster Students Union). Being a student-run community, all articles and discussion posts on MacInsiders are unofficial and it is therefore always recommended that you visit the official McMaster website for the most accurate up-to-date information.
| |
