<p>From time to time I have students withdraw from my online classes due to competing responsibilities. I find the following ideas to be helpful in minimizing this challenge.</p> <ul> <li>Remind&nbsp;students&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;level&nbsp;of&nbsp;commitment&nbsp;necessary&nbsp;to&nbsp;complete&nbsp;my&nbsp;course. This&nbsp;information&nbsp;may&nbsp;be&nbsp;specified&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;course&nbsp;syllabus&nbsp;and&nbsp;course&nbsp;overview,&nbsp;or I may&nbsp;consider&nbsp;sending&nbsp;a&nbsp;reminder&nbsp;in&nbsp;an&nbsp;e-mail.</li> <li>Provide students&nbsp;with&nbsp;guidelines&nbsp;for&nbsp;setting&nbsp;priorities.</li> <li>If&nbsp;the policies&nbsp;and&nbsp;procedures&nbsp;of&nbsp;my institution&nbsp;permit it,&nbsp;I&nbsp;may&nbsp;grant&nbsp;extensions&nbsp;for&nbsp;submitting&nbsp;course&nbsp;work.</li> </ul>