The remarkable thing about college is that it’s the most expensive thing that you will probably ever purchase and then not use. Consider a hypothetical example of a college where tuition and fees are $10,000 a semester. You are paying about $15 for every hour of class. When you don’t go to class, you are, in effect, throwing away $15. Apply this concept to your college. If your tuition and fees are $20,000 a semester, you are throwing away $30 every time you miss class.

Why do students miss class? Here are some likely reasons.

1. Class is too early.
2. You convinced yourself that going to class isn’t critical to getting a good grade.
3. You and your friends have decided to do something.
4. You’re running late and you don’t want to walk in after class has started.
5. You don’t feel well.
6. The weather is bad.
7. You need the time to get caught up in another class.
8. Commitments from another class activity interfere with this class.

Here are some strategies for getting yourself to class.

1. Develop a consistent sleep pattern. Go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time every morning. You will develop a routine that makes it easier to get to class.
2. Use class time to prepare for your next test. Even if the class is boring or seems trivial, you can use this time to study for the next test in the class. (See the topic on Making Flash Cards)
3. Don’t return to your room during the day. That way you won’t be tempted to go out with your friends. Staying on campus can also give you plenty of time to get your work done.
4. Walk in late. Find a seat where you’ll make the least disturbance. As long as you are not consistently late, faculty will be ok with you coming in late. After class, apologize to your teacher for being late.
5. Unless your illness will be disruptive to class or possibly contagious, go to class. Our greatest athletes generally had their best performances on the days they were sick.
6. Weather should not be a factor in getting to class, especially uncomfortable weather (rain or cold). Lots of snow and other possibly dangerous weather that make traveling difficult can be a problem, but you should have a bad weather strategy for getting to class.
7. If you plan your work schedule, you should be able to avoid missing a class to get caught up in another class. If you are doing this, you have time management problems to deal with. (See the topic Managing Your Time)
8. On some occasions, you might have a field trip, a presentation, a concert, or related activity in one class that interferes with another class. If this is the case, be sure to let your teacher know why you will be missing. This should not be a reason to miss a test.

Finally, start a dollar count of the money you are throwing away by missing classes. As this dollar amount builds, you might realize what a waste it is.

Things to avoid to make sure you get to class.

1. Once you wake up don’t just shut your alarm off and lay back down thinking you won’t fall back asleep. You most likely will. You are subconsciously trained to think that once you lay down in bed you are supposed to sleep, so you will fall back asleep.
2. When you turn your alarm off turn on the lights and immediately get dressed to discourage yourself from falling back asleep.
3. Another way to discourage yourself from falling back asleep is go get/make yourself some breakfast you will wake yourself up even more and won’t be encouraged to fall back asleep.
4. Also you can turn on music or the television to help wake up just make sure if you turn on the television you don’t get distracted by watching a show and miss class. Keep an eye on the clock and make sure you leave your normal time to get to class.

.