Although college students aren't in class from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. anymore, some still have trouble waking up for that dreaded 8 a.m. class that only lasts 50 minutes.
Whatever the reason for not attending class, just remember, it will affect your grades, maybe even your future.
Some students don't feel as strongly about the urgent need to regularly attend class.
"I'm paying for the education, not the classes I'm going to," sophomore Megan Gross said.
So far this semester, Gross said she has missed 10 to 15 of her classes.
Gross is not alone when she misses class; she said she knows a fair amount of other students who miss class on a regular basis.
"They don't want to get up and go in the winter because they live off-campus," she said. "Or they don't want to get up and walk."
Although she misses class, Gross said, "I'm learning what I need to be learning."
For her, that's what matters.
Personally, if I miss a lecture, I miss the notes. I could send one of those mass e-mails that so many students send when they "miss" class, but who wants to be that person? I get at least three a week, and I quickly find the "delete" button.
Ivelise Mendez-Perez is Spanish instructor at Ball State. She has an attendance policy in her classes and it counts towards a student's grade. In her opinion, missing class is not the route to take.
"In a language class, if you don't go, you will be behind," Mendez-Perez said.
For those who do go to class, Mendez-Perez said they are rewarded.
"It's a justification for those who are responsible [and come to class] with points and class activities," she said.
Jennifer Grove, political science instructor, doesn't have an attendance policy like Perez does. She doesn't think having one will help, but she said it's easy to tell who doesn't show up.
"The lack of attendance shows up on grades," Grove said.
It might not seem like much — after all, you get to chill out in your pajamas while your classmates toil away in a lecture hall. Yet, you have to remember you are paying tuition for those classes.
Whatever you personally decide might matter more than you think after you take the money into account.
In-state tuition is $7,228 and there are 159 days of school. If you are an in-state student and you miss one full day of classes, that's $45. Let's put that amount in college terms: With $45, you could buy about four cases of beer, four large pizzas or one tank of gas.
Out-of-state students, spend $19,796 a year on tuition. If you miss a day of classes that's $124. With $124, you can buy 10 cases of beer, 12 large pizzas or three tanks of gas.
Someone is paying that money — government loans or grants, scholarships from organizations, your parents or you. Keep that in mind when you think about skipping to veg on the couch all afternoon.
In the end, it's up to you whether you go.
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