Skipping class has always seemed fun. But this is university. The stakes are higher.
Let’s admit it. The temptation to skip class and loiter about has been an appealing one ever since you first saw those ‘cool seniors’ doing so back in school. Friends who managed to ‘bunk’ classes narrated their adventures out in the real world with great pride. And you thought, “One day”. But while your school probably had several measures in place to ensure your attendance , university life is a different ball game altogether.
Although the temptation to lounge with friends in the café or stalk people on Facebook in peace in a quiet corner remain quite obvious, the protocols to ensure your attendance become limited. The onus to get to class rests on you. So before you devise the perfect foolproof formula of achieving minimum credible attendance over the course of the semester, take a look at why you should avoid caving in to the craving.
Umm, attendance?
Whether you like it or not, most universities do follow a strict policy of class attendance. And failure to comply with it usually results in either a failure in course or the ordeal of having to attempt it again later. Both cases have a bearing on your emotions and finances and cost valuable time. So the only way of avoiding these unwanted eventualities is to get yourself inside the class. No shortcuts there, buddy.
The instructor does know
If books had it all, we wouldn’t need professors. Although course books are as vital to students as can be, some concepts are too difficult to grasp. That is where the instructors come into play. Your professor, lecturer or instructor mans the rostrum for he or she has a mastery over the subject. Teachers know the difficulties students face and, therefore, focus on these learning impediments. Your instructors will help you understand those hard-to-grasp concepts so that you don’t have to pull your hair out later.
New avenues
While you might think lectures are just repetitions of written text, there is a much wider canvass that your instructor paints. Even if you have done your reading assignments right, you will always find the discussion on a subject opening up various new thought avenues for you to consider. These insights prove invaluable in helping you develop further understanding of the course.
Critical thinking improves
Classrooms are often scenes of passionate debates on a topic being taught. Instructors often use leading questions or real life situations to initiate discussions, leading to varied commentary, analysis and observations. If you think about it, you have the potential to learn something from each of your classmates’ take on the matter, besides that of the instructor’s. Participating in discussions like these helps you improve your critical and analytical thinking on matters at hand, an ability quite necessary for work and private life in the years to come.
A stitch in time…
You’ll be surprised how much stress and effort you can avoid and time that can be saved if you keep your attendance of lectures in order (and not doze off therein). Attending classes will help you stay abreast of the course work, upcoming quizzes assignments and projects etc, while class discussions and analysis will help you retain important concepts. Hence, you can save up a lot on those energy drinks come exams and stay away from those dreadful all-nighters.
Noted, sire
Attending lectures will help you make your own notes. That’s both good and bad. Good, because you can jot down instructions about concepts bothering you per your own requirement. Bad, because it will deprive you of that quintessential conversation starter you have been looking for to…you know what.
Mingling
Well, if you remain in class, you won’t necessarily need forced conversation starters. Attending classes helps you interact with instructors as well as your fellow students. You keep track of where the course is headed to and make friends with common objectives and problems. Being known to your mates is also important when you have to work in groups for projects or other course tasks. Trust us, you don’t want to be the one-member group.
Crying wolf
Remember what happened to that one? The wolf actually arrived one day. Do keep in mind that there might arise occasions and events during your educational journey when you actually have to take time off studies. An illness, a wedding, a funeral, a close relative over from abroad or some unexpected occurrence needing your presence are all parts of life. Saving available leaves for such eventualities is a wise idea and a safe one too. Consuming leaves casually can really land you in trouble when the need for them actually arises.