The distribution gets far more reasonable after most of the initial bunch of people who can&#x27;t follow simple directions all drop after that first assignment.<p>I always make sure that my first assignment is due <i>before</i> the drop deadline.  I don&#x27;t make that first assignment worth a lot of points, but it sets the tone for the rest of the class--&quot;If you can&#x27;t do this, you&#x27;re in for a rough time in my class.&quot;  Anyone who stays even if they bomb that first assignment knows what they are getting into.