Jennifer: Attendance in College
We all know what a Professor is; or whom rather. They are those people who stand at the front of the classroom and talk about things you may or may not understand/care about/know. But that is about as far as I’m going to go with the ‘I’m going to be a real writer and have an introduction paragraph!’ That said, prepare for a rant.
I think it is utterly pointless and stupid to have attendance in college. Besides the necessary first day attendance that FSU takes because it is a big school and if you aren’t going to bother showing up to the first class you should at least let the people who want to take the course have a chance to actually get in. Seriously, it’s bullshit to me.
And where is this anger coming from you may ask?
I’m tired
Not as tired as I will be next week (it’s called taking a few days off from work to go to a wedding in South Carolina and making up the lost hours by going to work after driving back and forth to school which is approximately over one hundred and twenty miles to and from). However, universities do not accept mom notes or even emailed sob stories. They only want doctor notes or death certificates or faked doctor notes (which is doable… however doctor offices are making it extremely hard to fake them. I should know). Most of the time, you normally have them. Sometimes though, you just need a break.
Back To Attendance
When I first started college, almost none of my professors required attendance. A few did and those were few and far between. Of course this semester I am lucky to end up with three professors who take attendance. One of which requires that if you miss more than two days unexcused, you receive 20 points reduced from your final grade. You can get an A+ and still end up with a C-. Honestly, I think it is bullshit. We are all adults. We make our own decisions and (most of us) know the consequences. Sometimes stuff happens. For instance, I live out of town. My car might get a flat or break down on the way to school. I might just even oversleep and/or can’t find a parking spot. None of these are considered excuses. No, not even the breaking down of the car because if you have a smartass professor he’ll tell you that you should have gotten a ride.
Professors Make The Rules
However, there is nothing we can do about it. Professors make the rules and we play along with them. You can fight it, I’m sure. Most of us don’t have the nerve/willpower. The truth is you just have to suck it up or get a good doctor’s note. It all depends on your decision. You can risk the grade or you can be responsible and show up on time to class. I think that’s the point of attendance, since in the ‘real world’ you cannot just not show up to work. Still, knowing this you would think they would cut us some slack; give us on last bit of freedom before we are ball and chained to a desk or whatever occupation you plan on entering. But grumbling is not going to change it. But if you aren’t going to class because you hate your teacher, check out James’ How To Deal With Idiotic Teachers post.
And that’s the truth.
