Skipping Class

Kevin Corley

Many students entering college are tempted to skip class given their newfoudn freedom. There are no parents hounding them to go to school so it is easy for them to skip a class when their only motivation to attend is from themselves. Many students do not realize the importance of attending class and according to the Herald, live by the motto “Class is optional”. From personal experience, many students do not attend certain lectures at all because they do not feel their professor effectively teaches the material. While it is understandable that some professors may not be excellent teachers, it is important to understand that they usually make the test and anything that someone gets out of class can be beneficial.

Even if students do not get much out of class, they can surely get something if they are at least present. At the very least they should attend class and bring work to do. If a student skips class to do other work, they should consider bringing it to class and doing it there. By being present, students can pick up on important topics that may be on tests and learning very little is better than learning nothing. Pete Mendez mentions in an article that skipping class is typically a freshmen thing and that most upperclassmen see the value in attending class. Students need to understand that getting through college isn’t only about getting good grades. It is supposed to prepare them for the future by increasing their knowledge. Students are paying for knowledge not just a piece of paper that says they've earned a degree. Each class is an opportunity for students to learn something new that will better prepare them for their future career. It is important that students see the value in each class and understand that attending class isn’t only about grades but more about the opportunity for knowledge. When students realize this, it is easy for them to be motivated and eager to attend class.