Missing or skipping class is a part of college life. Most of the time students miss class for excusable reasons: family emergency, sickness, etc. However, many students miss class for less legitimate reasons.
When asked why, students replied with a variety of answers. The largest divide in responses was between freshmen and upperclassmen.
When two seniors were asked what they thought about missing class, and what they take into account when doing it, the first said. “Well, I try not to miss class, but if I have other work that needs to get done, I will.” The other senior then added, “I agree, if you have work for another class that you won’t get done unless you miss the class, I’d just miss the class and do my work.”
There was a surprising contrast when I asked two freshmen what they thought about the issue. Of the appropriateness of missing class, one commented, “I guess if you’re really tired, or sick or something”, at which point her friend chimed in, “Yes, when I’m really sick I don’t go to class, that’s usually how I decide.”
A sophomore, who had overheard the conversation added, “Or [missing class is acceptable] when you have a lot of work that needs to get done”, with which the freshmen immediately agreed.
The variety of answers from different class years is telling; older students have different priorities when it comes to missing class, most likely because they’ve been in college longer and know when they can afford to miss class.
Professors know that skipping, for better or for worse, is a part of college life and, for the most part, are understanding. In many classes, your grade will not be affected unless you miss more than three classes. One of my professors had a system wherein if you maintain perfect attendance throughout the semester, your grade would go up by half a letter grade (B+ becomes an A-), which was a huge incentive for students to not miss the class.
I recall another professor saying on the first day of class that she understood missing class was a common thing and if we did miss her class to make sure it was for a good reason, and to get notes from a friend. Granted, this was an 80 plus student lecture, so attendance was not as much of a factor in grading as in smaller classes.
However, one thing that students don’t usually take into account is the cost of missing the class.
The actual monetary cost.
Most students to whom I mentioned the cost of skipping class remarked, “I’d never thought of it like that”.
From the Connecticut College Admission’s page on tuition: “The comprehensive fee for 2013-14 is $58,780. The comprehensive fee covers tuition and room and board as well as lab fees, studio fees and other course expenses.” From this number, we can calculate the cost of a class at Conn.
Subtracting $12,695 for Room and Board, a full year of class time is worth $46,085 for students who pay full tuition. Thus, one class at Connecticut College is worth a little less than six thousand dollars.
At Conn, the semester is about 14 weeks long, figuring in the fact that we start on a Thursday and during Fall and Thanksgiving break we miss classes.
We have classes up to five times a week. From here we can figure out just how much each individual class is worth.
5760.625 ÷ 14 = 411.47, and let’s say we take the class three times a week, so that each class is worth: $137.16.
If you take class one time a week, the number comes to $411.47.
This is not factoring in labs, which would have to be determined by hours a week rather than meeting times.
But for the majority of students a class that meets three times a week is worth one hundred thirty seven dollars and 16 cents a lesson. Throwing that away because you’re tired? That’s a steep price to pay.
Granted, this is only for students who pay full tuition, which is only 51 percent of Conn students, but nevertheless, the cost of missing a class is surprisingly high.
Here are some things you can buy with 137 dollars:
• One ipod nano: $149
• Nike’s LunarGlide Running Shoes $124
• 27 dozen donuts from Dunkin Donuts
• Food for a family of four for one week $146
• 23 pizzas in Oasis Snack Shop (less if you get toppings)
• Average Emergency room co-pay which varies to depending on insurance but is between $70-200
Personally, I’d go on a Target shopping spree.
Love the article and understand the dilemma.
I am a current student at a community college and am in my last term. I am taking a writing class from a professor I respect and have taken in the past. I am being honored by my school for academic excellence and distinguished Phi Theta Kappa active member for my efforts over the last couple of years. I am traveling to Texas for the Nerd Nation gathering of 5,000 PTK members at the national level. That event will last a week, causing me to miss 2 classes. Then at the end of April I will again miss class for a third time representing my college at the OCCA event in Salem. I am one of 38 students in the state being honored.
I have spoken to my instructor about the issue and am more than willing to do extra assignments or attend extra classes, because we peer review in all of his classes. In the syllabus, it states our grade will be affected if we miss a third day. So my question would be….When should the absence be allowed, and is there a time the instructor should support the absence rather than against?