If, for some reason, you decide that enrolling in the coming term or in the current term is not to your best interest, what should you do?
Many a student will just opt to disappear without a trace. In common parlance, this is called ghosting. At the Associate in Arts program, this is called Absence without Leave or AWOL.
The problem with AWOL is that it does not look good on your student record. Moreover, your student privileges, and your capacity to enroll in the succeeding term is curtailed. Until, of course, you apply for re-admission.
To avoid being on AWOL, the diligent student (yes, that's you!) has two options, to go on Leave of Absence or to enroll for Residency. Your choice depends on your reason for not enrolling in any course:
| I am not enrolling this term because... | Logic... | Advice... |
| I want to complete my existing EXTs or remove my 4.0 | You need to still be "in active service" because you are still doing student work. | Enroll for Residency during the enrollment period and work on those submissions! |
| I believe I am graduating within 3 terms but I cannot enroll in any subject right now | UP policy states that students need to be in residency for at least 3 terms before graduation | Enroll in Residency and come back to work on your graduation |
| I am focusing on my career/personal life | You want to take a short break from the pressures of being an AA student | Apply for Leave of Absence during the enrollment period |
| I don't have money for this term's tuition | You want to enroll but don't have the funds for it yet | Take heart, apply for a Student Loan https://our.upou.edu.ph/details.php?id=93 |
| I'm very stressed, I need a break! | You want to take a short break from the pressures of being an AA student | Apply for Leave of Absence during the enrollment period; and/or Find a confidante or counselor who can help you understand your stressors; and/or Find a hobby or physical exercise that will help you "burn away stress", and/or Enroll in PE only. |
| I'm sick and taking time off to recover | You want to take it easy on yourself, (and get enough sleep!) | Enroll for Residency if you feel you can recover soon enough to take on student work that may need doing (i.e., those EXTs), or Apply for LOA if you feel that you may need more than 1 term to recover. An LOA is good for 1 year. |
| I want to be part of a cause that is greater than myself | You want to heed the call for service to the less fortunate | Join the UPOU Pahinungod Program |
| I want to find myself | You are lost and confused | You are not alone! Enroll in one or two courses, use these courses to induce deep reflection in your universe. |
Ok, now that you know what you want to do and why you want to do it, here are the procedures for
- Enrolling for Residency: You may enroll for Residency like you would any regular course. You will find this option in the Student Portal. There is no fee for Residency.
- Applying for a Leave of Absence. (Do note that you may apply for LOA even though you are enrolled, until 3/4 of the term has elapsed.) There is a small fee for application for LOA.
Go the Diligent Student way. It takes a load out of your mind if you know you've done the best you can do in the face of delays.