Chillin’ and Passin’ Like it Ain’t No Thing: A Slacker’s Guide

Published January 22, 2008

By Julia Taddonio

Many students do not take advantage or even know about the Pass/No Pass (P/NP) option when enrolling in classes. I found out about it when I was making arrangements to study abroad.

Students are allowed to take a maximum of two P/NP credits each semester beginning their sophomore year. The credits cannot go toward one’s major, minor, or distribution requirements. To do this you just need to fill out a simple form from the Registrar’s Office, get some John Hancocks from your advisor and your Dean, and have these forms all in by the tenth day of the chosen class.

Once you decide to take a P/NP class you can chill the hell out. That’s right folks; less coffee and Adderall binges on the 3rd floor, more time sleeping and getting a grip. This is because the option is for those who may have originally avoided a given class due to fear of a low grade. It allows students to explore subjects outside the realm of their major or minor without it threatening their GPA. The idea in mind here is that students shouldn’t be hindered by taking a class that interests them but that they know little about. It encourages students to be “well rounded” so to speak . The best thing is that the professor doesn’t know you’re taking the class P/NP. It’s like your little secret with the Registrar’s Office.

The beauty of the P/NP is that you don’t have to stress over one of your classes. Instead of bugging out when you have a big paper or an exam, you could possibly go out, “rage it,” and see how well you do. It’s almost like a game, “How well can I wing it?” You don’t have to “try” in P/NP gym classes like Moo Gong Do or Badminton. I don’t know about you, but I don’t think it should affect my GPA if I can’t master a punch combo or hit the birdie.

There are several disadvantages to the P/NP option. For instance, if you randomly get lucky and get an A, you can’t take break the P/NP contract; it’s binding. Also, since you may end up slacking hard core, you might end up failing or coming really close to it and have to do some serious catch up at the end, which defeats the stress-free purpose of the P/NP class. It also doesn’t look good if you’re planning to go on to graduate school (which I just found out - dammit). You’ll look like the true slacker you are.

If you are already an unmotivated student, don’t take a course P/NP because you may just end up failing, which is never fun. But if you are going abroad and don’t need to fill requirements, definitely go for it. Even if you’re just staying here for the semester take this opportunity and explore some courses you may have never before.

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