What College Students Need to Know

What is it that today's college student needs to know? As an adjunct college instructor, I can tell you that one of the most important aspects still revolves around attendance. It amazes me the number of classes that students miss. What students fail to recognize is, poor attendance sends a loud message to a teacher. It sends a message of indifference, or lack of caring, to the instructor.

As many instructors do, I have an attendance policy. If a student makes a commitment to take my class, I expect him/her to show up. Failure to do so indicates that the student feels there is another conflicting commitment that is more important than class. This is true of college athletes who have a practice that conflicts with my class. By attending the practice, the student is saying that has a higher priority than the class.

Of course, there are times when it is understandable for a student to miss class. There have been times when I have had students who have been too sick to attend class. There have been times due to poor traveling conditions, students have been unable to make it to class. Of course the death of a family relative or a hospital stay for the actual student are legitimate excuses.

Frequently, however, the excuses are less than adequate. I have had students tell me they are not feeling well and cannot attend my class. When I leave the classroom I see that same student participating in some kind of social or recreational activity. We are talking about this occurring almost immediately after my class ends. Another time, I had one student tell me he missed my class because he was very upset that someone in the dorm stole his favorite blanket. I even had one student who was scheduled to make a presentation show up to class, see he was scheduled to speak (apparently he forgot and I had it posted on the board), and walk out without saying anything to me.

While it is frustrating anytime a student misses class, or is unprepared for an assignment, I do appreciate the unprepared student showing up to class and simply admitting that he is unable to complete the assignment. I do appreciate the absent student saying that she knows she should have been in class and really doesn't have a valid excuse. That goes much further with me than not showing up at all.

Still, it is my belief that showing up to class (on time) is one of the easiest things a student can do. It makes a positive impression and often times will go a long way in helping the student obtain a good grade.

This will also help a student upon graduation. Too many of today's workers get into trouble because they do not feel attendance is important, or that being to work on time is important. I know many people who have been fired for this reason. Sharpen this skill in college and make sure to use it when you graduate.