Do you skip a lot of classes if attendance isn't taken? Be honest!

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I can't stand it when instructors don't count attendance because...I get lazy.

My Psych 1 class is like this. We only get graded on exams, period, and out of 17 class meetings this semester I'll have been to a whopping total of: 7 classes! And the first 3 were the ones before I figured out I could get away with not coming, the other 4 days are for our exams which are the sole basis of our grade.

Sometimes I wonder why I wasted my money, because half the class isn't there on a given night and I truly am not learning a thing. Our instructor's teaching style is bad for procrastinators because she's always behind, and because she has us all read straight from the book and doesn't explain anything. Everyone knows you can study at home and save yourself the trip. We don't even have to swap notes...there's nothing to write down!

I need more motivation! AGHHH! So glad this class is almost over...I'm getting a B with very little effort and feeling quite guilty about it too...:imbar

This is a community college and I was wondering if anyone else out there had classes like this. On one hand I am happy because I don't have to work so hard, and on another I know I am shooting myself in the foot somehow...

By the way I know I won't be able to skip any actual nursing classes so please don't flame me, thanks!

Specializes in ER.

My Bio teacher this semester did not take attendance, in fact most of the quizzes each week were online. On occasion she did give extra credit questions to those that were there or showed clips that would be on the test. I attended every class and do for all of my classes. I just cant stay away from school!

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Man, I flipped out when I had to miss an A & P lab due to a horrendous snowstorm (and school still went on...). I don't think I could handle missing class in all honesty. I really would be afraid that I would miss something that one time that I wasn't there.

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not a chance of me skipping! getting in to the program is tough and competitive, i'm going to feel grateful and attend every class (emergency's are the exception). I dont care how boring it is! if it wasnt important for us to attend, they wouldnt offer the course right? and why settle for a B? i'd much rather give that little bit extra and come out with an A.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Well shoot it sounds like you've got a handle on things then. This isn't a habit for you, you normally attend class and this is an isolated experience for you. And, why? Because you're realizing that attending class isn't doing much for you as far as passing the exams and you're choosing to spend your lecture time in what you feel will be a more productive way. I got the impression this was a general habit for you if attendance wasn't required. You're just a competent adult making adult decisions that aren't negatively impacting your performance. Shoot, attendance in college classes isn't often mandatory for the simple fact that we're adults expected to make adult decisions. You're doing fine, don't feel guilty.

I don't question my commitment at all. I used to, but then I thought about it some more. I never skipped any of my pre-requisite science classes, and except for this class I am normally an excellent student. I work full time while going to school - and I really do work my butt off in both places. I even took microbiology in a grueling 6-week mini-semester (also while working full time) so that I could get a jump on my spring classes.

It's just that if the attendance was required in this particular class, I would go. I went tonight because I felt guilty after posting the original thread. And honestly, it was a total and complete waste of time. I could have stayed home and read the book and gotten more out of it. I could have sniffed glue and gotten more out of it. Community college courses are that way sometimes.

To each his/her own I guess.

By the way, I don't get a single penny from anyone so I pay for all my classes and books.

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When I went to college right out of high school and got my psychology degree, I skipped a LOT of classes. And my grades stunk. Bad. (but I did get the degree! :) )

Since I've been back to school for nursing (just over a year now), I've missed ONE class. A&P lab...which was an optional day for review. Only reason I missed it was because I was going to the ballet that night right after lecture. My grades are waaaaay better than the first time thru college. I've made the Dean's List every quarter & have a 3.8 gpa. Yep, going to class helps me a lot, so I do. Even if it doesn't seem like I'm learning anything more than I would from the book, sometimes you get something clarified that you wouldn't have gotten on your own.

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I used to skip several years ago but since taking science courses I don't miss unless absolutely necessary which usually isn't. I am afraid I will something that could show up on a test.

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Specializes in Telemetry & Obs.

I wouldn't skip class for any reason...my instructors use examples during lecture that clarify points in the reading, and most of them seem to reappear on the tests :uhoh3: Plus, if we go see an instructor about having difficulty in class, the first thing they do is see what our attendance is like.

Besides, I'm with FutureNurse...why settle for an "easy B" when with just a little effort you could have an A??

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Specializes in Gynecology/Oncology.

No, I don't skip classes normally. If I miss one class, I feel I'm playing "catch up" the entire semester! The only exception is if it's the last few days of class, and we're only going to be doing something I can do at home, with no lecture. I wish all instructors would take attendance and give credit for it, though, b/c I always want ANY extra points I can get! :p

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Specializes in ER, CCU, LTAC.

YOU TOO!:chuckle

Nope! never would unless it was an emergency. My reasoning is this though: my time in class is MY time away from my kiddos and dh! LOL!
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Specializes in MS Home Health.

Never missed one.

ren

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I rarely miss class. The way I see it is this--unless you've been accepted to the nursing school already, that "B" you are making easily, skipping class, may be what costs you getting into nursing school in a timely manner or at all. Yes, it can be THAT competitive.

Maybe it's not like that everywhere, but why not put yourself in the best possible position you can?

Show up every class time, show up having read the material before hand, ask the teacher to clarify anything you might be fuzzy on, etc. And, as other people have already said, that 89.4 or 89.5 might magically become an A due to the teacher's knowing that you tried your hardest. Later, if you go on to nurse anethetists school, or to get your Masters degree or whatever, your grades are looked at again.

Discipline is also a good reason, as other people have mentioned. If you aren't there, then how do you know, for instance, that she was maybe just sleep-walking thru teaching stuff she didn't care about, but then she's covering a topic of great interest to her, and suddenly gives all kinds of examples, and extra info that won't be in your textbook? You never know. And you would miss it if you weren't there.

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Oh yea I've skipped most of my classes...but eh I have a 4.0 so I can't be doing that bad. I don't think that it is that the classes are too easy, more like some people do a better job of teaching themselves then listening to someone else drone on and on. I took psychology as a telecourse and it was a lifesaver because then I didn't have to feel guilty about skipping classes, I just taught myself the content. Of course though, once I start my actual nursing classes this summer, I will not be missing one class. Some things are easier to teach yourself then others. I need to be in class so I can take notes and ask questions.

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