How to Be Smart About Skipping Classes in College
Skipping classes in college can be tricky! You need to learn how to be smart about skipping classes in college to keep your GPA in check and ensure you’re not missing anything important.
Skipping classes is something I have a lot of experience with (it’s not as bad as it sounds!), and I’ve mastered how to do it without hurting my GPA. Sometimes it can be the right thing! Keep reading for my tips on how to be smart about skipping classes in college (the right way).
When Should I Skip Classes in College?
First, let’s talk about when you should skip classes in college. Like I said, you need to be smart about it. You shouldn’t skip classes because you don’t want to go. What’s the point of paying all that tuition money then?
Here are the only reasons you should skip class in college:
- Mental health
- Sickness
- Unchangable travel arrangements
- Special event
- To study for another class
Of course there are going to to be exceptions here. Maybe it’s your birthday and you want to take the afternoon off. Maybe your friend is visiting from out of state. Whatever the reason you choose to skip classes in college, you’ll need to use your best judgement.
Now let’s talk about how to be smart about skipping classes in college! Keep these things in mind before you sleep in or go out for happy hour.
1. Check Your Grades
Before you skip classes in college, check your class grades. This is a MUST.
If you’re doing well in a class, then odds are you shouldn’t have any problem missing a day or two. However, if you know you’re struggling to pass or grasp the material, then it probably isn’t a good idea to miss.
Generally, if you have a B+ or higher, you are probably in good enough standing to miss a few days. This is up to your own discretion, of course.
It’s always a good idea to be on top of your grades. If your college has an online portal with updated grades, that’s a great way to keep track regularly. If it doesn’t, or if your teacher doesn’t keep it updated, take inventory of your last few big assignments.
Do you participate and do your homeowkr? Have you scored well on your last few tests? If yes, you’re probably safe. If you aren’t sure, you can always email or talk to your teacher and see if they’ll let you know how you’re doing.
2. What Material Are You Covering?
What will you being doing that class period? Are you learning something completely new, or is this your third day of review?
If you feel confident you are already familiar with the material, odds are you don’t need to go. The first day of a new chapter is usually the worse day to miss, as this content usually is completely new.
3. Can You Get the Notes?
Do you have a friend or classmate who will let you borrow or make a copy of their notes if you miss? Some classes are note heavy, and missing a day of notes can be detrimental to your score on an upcoming test.
In this case, make sure you have someone you can ask to quickly catch you up on anything important you might have missed. If you do think you missed something important, a good tip is asking someone in the class when you return.
Get to the class early so that if you missed important notes, you can copy them quickly. Even better, take a picture of their notes with your phone camera, that way you can write them out yourself later or print the page. Just be sure you can read their handwriting!
4. No Assignments Are Due
I hope this goes without saying, but definitely do not miss any days where something is due! I lot of college students get freakout out when a draft or paper is due and will skip the class in order to save themselves from having to turn it in. This is a terrible idea.
Your professor then has the option of not accepting your late assignment or lowering your grade. A better idea is to email the professor in advance and explain the situation and ask for an extension.
If you know you need to miss on an important day, speak to your professor about turning in your assignment early or taking the test at a different time. Most professors will work with you.
5. You Need a Sick or Mental Health Day
If you’re sick, it’s probably a good idea to skip. If you’re going to infect your whole class and be miserable all day, there’s really no point in being there anyway. I’ve tried to sit through classes with a fever or other awful symptom, and spent the entire time miserable and unable to pay attention. You’re better off taking the time to get better.
Mental health is also super important! If you’re overwhelmed and anxious and really just need a break, take one! Remember, classes are NOT mandatory, you do NOT need to go to every one.
Missing one class will not be the end of the world, and MENTAL HEALTH IS SO IMPORTANT. Now, I’m not saying every day you need to take a mental health day, but if you’re really worn down or overwhelmed with work, it’s a good idea to take a day off to catch up and breathe.
Be Smart About Skipping Classes
If you keep these in mind the next time your want to skip a class, you’ll become a pro! I really believe that if you can be smart about skipping classes in college, you can keep your stress at bay and your performance levels high.
It’s really easy to burn out in college or even burn out after graduation, so don’t get too hung up on perfect attendance! You’re young, live a little bit! Take advantage of this freedom and have fun with it! Happy skipping! Do you have any tips of your own?
