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I'm not going to class

Going to class is one of the simplest and most effective ways to boost your learning, connect with your fellow students and professor, become engaged with the material, and keep up with the pace of the class. Oftentimes, however, you may feel that going to lecture or recitation is not necessary, or maybe each day you intend to go, but something “more important” appears in your schedule. Click the links below to read some straightforward and practical solutions that will make skipping class a thing of the past.

STEP 2: SELECT THE REASON that best describes your situation, keeping in mind there may be multiple relevant reasons.

Many classes, especially those that are entry-level and span across a variety of majors, can be overwhelmingly large. When you are sitting in a lecture hall with over 200 other students, and the professor is merely a speck in the distance, it can be difficult to stay engaged with the lecture. You may feel intimidated to ask questions, or perhaps you think, “The professor doesn’t care if I go to lecture, he/she doesn’t even know my name.

STEP 3: Explore potential STRATEGIES to address the problem.

Get to know your fellow classmates; make the class seem smaller than it actually is. Arrive a few minutes early to lecture each day to chat with your peers; you can ask if they have started the homework or are studying for the next exam. Attempt to learn the names of a few people in your class, and sit with them each day. Try to sit closer to the front of the room, which will help you to feel like the professor is speaking directly to you – and you’ll be less likely to check your phone, fall asleep, or otherwise become distracted. If you don’t feel comfortable asking your professor questions during the lecture, write your questions down and ask a friend or the professor one-on-one after class. And finally, go to office hours and introduce yourself to your professor and TA; even if the class is large, professors want to get to know each of their students as much as possible.

We all know the feeling – you pulled a late night trying to get that homework finished, so when the alarm goes off for your 8:30am class, the last thing you want to do is get out of bed. Or maybe you simply aren’t a morning person, and no matter how early you get to sleep, you just can’t get up before 10:00am. Either way, below are some solutions that will keep you from hitting the snooze button.

STEP 3: Explore potential STRATEGIES to address the problem.

If your problem is getting to bed at a decent hour, plan a nighttime routine. This routine can consist of showering, drinking warm milk or decaffeinated tea, listening to classical music, or doing relaxing exercises such as yoga or Pilates. Try to avoid strenuous activities right before bed or looking at an electronic screen, as this can make it difficult to fall asleep. Designate your bed or bedroom for sleeping only; try to do work at a desk or in another room. We advise setting your room temperature to between 65 and 72 degrees, which should be comfortable for sleeping and waking up. If you have trouble getting out of bed with an alarm, put your alarm clock or cell phone on your dresser or desk, which will force you to get up in the morning. It can also be helpful to change the tone of your alarm every so often, so you don’t become too used to the sound. Especially on days you have exams, set multiple alarms, and if you’re really a deep sleeper, ask a friend or roommate to make sure you’re awake in time.
Also, consider using an app on your phone, such as Sleep Cycle. These types of programs track your sleep quality and REM cycle, awakening you when you are in your lightest phase of sleep.

On the first day of lecture, your professor may hand you a syllabus that specifically says attendance is not part of your grade and all lecture material is posted online. We admit – this does not give you the best incentive to go to class. Attending lecture, however, has been proven to boost students’ learning; below are some things to keep in mind before clearing that class from your schedule.

STEP 3: Explore potential STRATEGIES to address the problem.

Attending lecture gives you the opportunity to hear explanations straight from the source, test your understanding of the material, and ask questions when you are confused. Additionally, many times PowerPoint slides are incomplete, and the professor provides further insight and explanation in class. Going to lecture can also reveal what is likely to appear on exams; professors often point out slides or drop hints about what information is most important to learn. Professors often frequently provide further assistance in class on current homework assignments, which can be quite helpful when you’re stuck on a question or are facing a particularly difficult problem set.

Many majors require students to take classes outside of their field of study. Perhaps you are an engineering student who has to take a history class, or a writing student who has to complete a math class. It can be hard to go to class when you aren’t interested in or don’t see the relevance of the subject, but attendance is important nonetheless.

STEP 3: Explore potential STRATEGIES to address the problem.

Taking classes outside of your major can introduce you to new friends, provide a nice change of pace, and set you apart from other students in your field of study. Also, classes that other applicants are unlikely to have taken can provide excellent discussion content for interviews. Employers, graduate schools, and professional programs frequently look for students who have a diverse curricular background, so that history or math class may not be as irrelevant as you think!

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