And now from the lecturer's perspective:

Of course attending lecture is not important. Students can hardly be expected to take time from their busy lives to show up for something as trivial as a college class for which they (or more likely their parents or the government) has paid good money. The limited interaction that, at least some, of my students have provided in the past helps to illustrate many (no - not all, thank god) students' prevailing attitudes on the subject:

"Did you go over anything important while I was out?" No, of course not. You should know that we only discuss the important issues on the days that you are here. The rest of the class would not dream of staying on schedule if it meant that you would miss something important due to a prior engagement at the tattoo parlor.

"Can't you just give us a handout instead of having us sit here and take notes?" Well, why didn't I think of that? I could just give you the entire course pre-packaged. Would it help if I gave you the test questions ahead of time? Would you like the answers too? Heck, since I know how hard you thought about studying, I will just give you the A. Why should we waste time jumping through hoops when we both know you would have gotten the A anyway?

"Your syllabus says I have to be here. It doesn't say I have to take notes and pay attention. Why are you busting my butt then?" Hmm. You said you are a pre-nursing major? Perhaps my attitude about your lack of engagement with this class stems from the fact that if I ever have a hospital stay, I would like to know that the person checking and administering my meds didn't just show up to class because the syllabus required him to.

It is sad to know that the students who have the least time (the 32 year old single parent with two jobs for example)to commit to studies are most often the ones who are the most dedicated.

Having said that, I don't think there is one tired excuse that I hear from students that I didn't use first when I was an eighteen year old freshman.

Learn more about this author, Dean Roughton.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Humor: When going to a lecture is required in college?
We want to hear your view. Write now!