Due to the challenges brought upon by the COVID-19 pandemic, CSUSB has once again offered students the ability to choose the credit/no credit option for their classes. Some students share their thoughts on the subject.
“CSUSB bringing back credit/no credit as an option for classes this semester honestly creates a little more wiggle space with grades. Even though I’m unsure of how I’ll approach my own grades this semester, I know this option may relieve some stress for others. When going into semesters, I thought classes would be less hectic compared to how they were during quarters; I was wrong. With the option of credit/no credit being offered, I feel that this may push not only other students, but also myself to give these last few weeks the best we can. As a biology major looking into schooling after my undergraduate, credit/no credit may not be ideal. With that being said, if you plan on continuing into grad school or medical school please make sure the school you’ll be applying to will accept credit/no credit as a grade.”
“Having the credit/no credit option for CSUSB is very helpful to those students who are dealing with friends and family who may be suffering during this pandemic. Coming from a comfortable living situation where the internet works fine and there is no issues with being in school online, I feel so fortunate because I have heard horrendous stories of how the blackouts from the fires caused issues, and the evacuations were also very detrimental to students who have no choice but to be safe. CSUSB is helping those students who need to focus on work and or caring for those in their families who rely on their jobs for medical insurance and food. I personally agree that now is a time where students have a choice, and the school letting grades not become a burden or a stressor on students will help a lot of coyotes out there!”
“My thoughts about CSUSB offering the credit/no credit option is that it is a great opportunity that should be open to everyone. With COVID going around, students are mainly are stuck at home with their online classes, and, most of the time, it’s difficult to even learn while being at home. I know some friends of mine decided to take a semester off at other schools because they are not learning anything and it’s hurting their grades and knowing that bad grades means not graduating, retaking classes, and paying more. Some career jobs don’t even require students to get a Master’s degree, so they can just simply take their classes and just get the credit they need. For students who want to go to grad school, such as myself, the credit and no credit is also helpful because students don’t want their grades to be hurt due to circumstances they have to live with, especially with our condition with the pandemic.”
“I would rather CSUSB stick to the ABC grading system because the credit/no credit system is too broad. I want to know my exact grade because it helps me see how much I’ve actually been able to grasp or how I am improving through the class. Also, I think the ABC grading system is better because when someone applies to a job and they ask for transcripts, it helps the interviewer decided what candidate is best to hire.”
“I honestly think that credit/no credit is really important. It allows students to have another option in case one is struggling with a class. For example, my first year, I was struggling with a class that I didn’t need for my major but was required for my GE and it was credit/no credit. I was able to get that credit for the class and not have to worry about taking it again in the future and not having the worry of seeing a lower letter grade in my transcripts. The same goes for this year as classes are online this semester. It can be very hard at times to have the motivation to want to study, do work, etc. and many students have to work. Many have developed health issues that may prevent them from being able to participate or do homework properly. A lot of students are home having to deal with the reality of family, barging in, distracting from studies, and further. So I am very happy with CSUSB’s decision.”
“I believe the credit/no credit option will benefit everyone who has been impacted in their learning experience from distance learning. There are many people who have different methods of learning and people who are suffering from distance learning are not represented accurately when the final grades are processed. Students do not have a choice whether they would like to have online class or class in person. I’m sure there are many students who would only have a preference for online classes or in-class lectures. CSUSB does a great job providing both options for students who have their preference of online-only or in-class lectures. During these difficult times, students from different backgrounds are going through different situations where they are not able to do as well as they would hope for in their classes at CSUSB. Providing the option for their GPAs to not be affected by their final grades is a good decision made by CSUSB.”
“The credit/no credit option offered by CSUSB has the potential to create a drastic, positive difference in the lives of our students. In these uncertain times, where life has been flipped upside down, the difficulty of balancing school, work, and personal life is even more difficult than it once was. Some students have had to seek employment or take on extra hours at work to survive, which were not previously needed before COVID-19. Basic needs, such as food, shelter, and security, must be met before one can work to their full academic potential. Online learning already reduces some student’s success without the added stress this pandemic brings. Opting for credit/no credit protects a student’s GPA. If students are not able to perform to their highest ability, it allows them the option for their GPA to not be negatively impacted due to things that may not be in their control.”
“Nearing the end of the semester, virtually everyone can feel the on-setting fatigue from online classes. Even now, I can sense internal pressures both from being a student and an instructor. Needless to say, not everyone is equipped to handle the online transition. Therefore, I feel that it is more than appropriate to implement the credit/no credit system as an option to students who’ve had a hard time adapting so that they have a little more flexibility and that struggling students’ GPA’s would not be adversely affected. One of the advantages is that a failing grade would not adversely affect your GPA. However, one of the disadvantages is that most graduate schools translate passing grades in a pass/fail system as a C, which would harm my chances of being accepted into a competitive program.”
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