More than half of De Anza College students have dropped at least one class, according to a recent informal survey. La Voz asked 100 randomly chosen students on Feb. 6 if they had dropped classes, after learning that college enrollment had slipped for winter quarter once drops were processed.
The college had original reported a 5 percent increase in enrollment from Fall 2012 quarter.
Seventeen percent said they did not like a class or the professor for reasons such as unclear explanations and harsh grading.
Four percent of students surveyed said they dropped because of too many units.
“I dropped a nutrition class this quarter,” said Michelle Lee, 18, biochemistry major. “I changed a professor for my calculus class, and this class happened at the same time as nutrition class. Also, I needed less units for this quarter. So I chose calculus needed for my major while nutrition is just for general education.”      
Six percent of students said they dropped a class because of bad grades.
Jordi Hibner, 20, majoring in accounting, said she never dropped a class. She said students should be more responsible at the moment when they are choosing classes to register, so that they won’t drop afterwards.
Dropping classes is the easy way out and they all go into your record, she said.
Three percent of students said they dropped because class was too difficult while 2 percent dropped because the class was too easy.
Dominique Williams, 18, major undecided, said she had a misunderstanding with her professor but she came to his office hours rather than dropping the class.
“I think it is up to me to have a conversation with the professor and get a clear understanding,” she said.  
Five percent of students said time conflicts forced them to drop for reasons such as jobs and too many classes.
“When I received my full time job I had to drop from the college completely,” Kris Miller, 49, a psychology major, said. Students are dropping mostly because they want to reserve seats for more classes than they can attend, she said.
 “Now I am back to school for a career change. I think I will not drop any class this quarter.”
Erik Castaneda, 19, majoring in film and TV production, said he never dropped a class.
“If you are on financial aid and you drop a class, it means you are taking advantage of the aid to some extent,” he said. “You should take classes that you are sure you can understand and are interested in.”