Geology 1020: Introduction to Earth History is abhorrent to my start at CU and personally I feel that the following reasons I am going to illuminate should result in a strong consideration for an exception to drop this course. First, I’m at a strong disadvantage in this course because I have absolutely zero Geology background and feel that anyone else in a similar situation as mine would have extreme difficulty receiving an A. Geology 1010 is a prerequisite for Geology 1020 and all the fellow classmates I have talked to have already taken Geology 1010, are Sophomores or older, have previous and extensive Geology knowledge, and are still struggling with the class. I literally studied 3+ hours a day for two weeks prior to my last exam and still received a 60%. I was very stressed and upset over this exam because that was my worst exam score in a long time, yet I studied far more on this exam than any previous exam in my life. I liked the challenge that came along with this course so I did not drop by the date, but the topics are continually getting more and more difficult. So much so, that I have not even been paying attention to my vastly more important business related classes because of the prodigious amount of stress and attention GEOL 1020 requires. I was never informed that this class builds upon the information learned in GEOL 1010 when registering for classes. The only information I was told when scheduling for my classes first semester was that 1000 level classes were introductory, not realizing that some 1000 level classes are follow ups from the prerequisite class. I realize students are responsible for reading and adhering to prerequisites, but feel this is an unfair policy for students who received little guidance and support registering for classes when paying a vast amount for their education. Additionally, a pertinent reason I did not drop this class immediately was that homework and quizzes make up 40% of my final grade. I was really shooting for straight A-‘s and A’s this semester, and realized I could still attain a B in the class if I got 100% on my HW assignments and quizzes. However, on our most recent homework assignment I received a 0/10 because it is completed in class and I could not attend because I had a migraine. This lone event results in a 10% drop of my final grade so now a C- is best-case scenario. Migraines have always been an issue for me and have been prescribed medicine that doesn’t help. There was no way I could have attended class and completed the in class HW, which is a vitally important grade booster for the class. One trigger for my migraines is stress, and the only times I have endured migraines in the past half year have been correlated with the times I am stressing out about my GEOL 1020 grade. Additionally, the latest chapter is even much harder for me to understand, and I have completely ignored important classes like Economics because GEOL 1020 takes so much effort. I’m afraid that if I can’t get GEOL 1020 dropped with a W my grades will suffer in my other classes because I simply don’t have the energy and clear mind to put effort towards those subjects. I hope after reviewing my request you find the facets on why I should be granted an exception to drop highly considerable. Dropping a class and accepting a W is not something I enjoy, but when it prevents a catastrophic start to my GPA that was primarily out of my control I would do so in a heartbeat. Thanks for taking the time to read my request, and I understand if my request gets denied but would at least appreciate the chance to talk to the dean or somebody else about their decision.