Adding A Class After It's Started

For the most part, you can add a class all on your own up until the first day of class. After that point, however, you will generally need instructor permission. Keep in mind that instructors are not obligated to add students to their classes on or after the first day. If an instructor tells you he or she is not adding students, you need to respect that.

If you've just missed one class and you are added to the class, you probably are in okay shape. If you're adding after that point, you may be putting yourself at a disadvantage. Here are some reasons not to add a class after the first class session has occurred.

• You may have missed points that you will not be able to makeup.

• You will have missed the review of the syllabus, which can give you important information and an overall understanding of the instructor's teaching style.

• You may find yourself taking a quiz that you've had no time to prepare for.
  

• You will need to catch yourself up on the class material you've missed. The instructor has no obligation to do anything special for you when you add a class late. Plan on getting missed notes and other information from other students.