In college, almost every class you encounter will have an attendance policy. Some courses are very strict—they may state that you can only miss one or two sessions over the course of the semester before your grade suffers. Others may have a more lax policy or no attendance policy at all.
Whatever the case may be, it’s critical to understand the importance that attending your college classes holds—and how quickly skipping classes can spin out of control. Reasons not to skip your college classes can include showing your professor your commitment to the course, preventing your grades from suffering, and getting the most out of your education.
Oftentimes, parents and professors will stress the importance of attending classes in college, but the gravity of it is not always explained. Keep reading to learn three reasons not to skip that college class:
Skipping class can send your professor the wrong message
In nearly all instances, professors are passionate about the subject they teach and wish to share their knowledge and enthusiasm with students like you. Professors understand that not every student will be as enthusiastic as they are about a given subject, but it can still go a long way to be engaged with the material. Attending class is one of the best ways to show your professors that you care about your education. Sometimes, professors tie participation and attendance into one grade—they may view attending class as a form of participation in their course. Even if there is no attendance policy, it’s important to attend class sessions.
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Skipping class can cause your grade to slip
Some college classes may have a policy that permits you to miss a certain number of sessions before you are penalized. Take these policies seriously. When professors say you will drop a letter grade if you have more than five unexcused absences, they are serious. If you begin skipping classes, it can also become easier over time to convince yourself it’s okay not to attend. This can quickly reach a point where your absences have added up, and it’s hard for your grades to rebound.
Note that night classes can have some of the most strict attendance policies. Usually, you are only allowed one unexcused absence, since these courses often meet once per week for several hours.
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Skipping class can prevent you from getting your money's worth
You are likely attending college to maximize your education, and if you rob yourself of that by skipping a large portion of your class periods, you aren’t getting what you should be out of college. Yes, you might become sick or face an emergency, but don’t let yourself create a habit out of skipping. When signing up for courses:
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If you know you won’t be able to get up in time for a morning class, don’t register for it.
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If you know you lose focus later in the day, avoid signing up for an afternoon or evening class.
Be honest with yourself about what types of courses you might be less likely to regularly attend. Signing up for a class that you know you will end up skipping is a surefire way to ensure you will not be getting your money’s worth.
[RELATED: 4 Things to Consider Before Dropping a College Class]
Note that none of this is to say you can’t go to your professor if you are sick or have a family emergency. If you are facing an illness or family situation, be open with your professor about what’s going on. This way, you won’t end up with days counting against you when they could have been excused.
There are many reasons to attend your college classes. At the end of the day, however, the biggest reason is so you can get the most out of your education. Attend classes, network with professors, absorb information, discover new areas of interest, and take advantage of the possibilities your college courses will offer you.
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