should college students be required to attend classes?

Answer 1

Most professors would argue yes, I'm sure. Mostly, because missing class means missing out on class lectures and discussion.

Some students do have the ability to skip a majority of their core curriculum classes and still excel; I had a friend who only attended his French course for 1/3 of the classes, but still aced every test. I'm sure there are people that could perform similarly in Calculus and Statistic courses. But for classes that are instrumental in one's major, I believe that participation and class discussion forms the bulk of the material learned in that class.

My college experience has shown me that the classes that have attendance policies are usually one's that people get bored with, and therefore are tempted to skip. Now that I'm working on my Master's degree and no longer have attendance requirements, I'm too intrigued by the course material to NOT attend class.

Most people will probably say that, in the majority of people, a student's attendance will directly correlate with how well they understand the course material, and consequently, will determine their grade in the course.

Answer 2

I really believe that so much of college is having the student learn responsibility and independence, and this includes scheduling things, deciding what to attend, planning a day, etc. As a college student, I also feel that after the first few classes ) when everyone attends) , the class gets better since the people who show up are the people who really want to learn, it makes the whole experience better for the people who make time to go there and want to be there. If a student can't get out of bed to attend a class without mandatory attendence, they shouldn't waste their money paying for a college education - they won't get anything out of it even if class was mandatory..

Answer 3

Yes!
When I was in college (95 -98) I had some professors that had a mandatory attendance policy and failure to attend class on a regular basis was guarenteed to drop your grade at least one grade point and thats if you still made an A on every test.

Then I had some professors that did not require attendance, they just cared if you turned in your assignments on time and passed their tests.

I found out that if you don't attend classes regular you really don't get what you should out of college. Alot of the learning that is taking place is because you are paying attention in class and participating in discussions, and so forth.
I missed a few classes for a week because I was out sick (doctor wouldn't let me attend) and when I returned I felt so lost! I had a really bad time that semester and its all because I didn't attend classes on a regular basis. My professors understood but that didn't help me, I really struggled with those courses that semester.

So yes I think even if its not required, you should consider yourself required to go.

Answer 4

College is about learning more than just random facts, it's about learning how hard you are personally willing to work in order to get what you want out of life. Mandating attendance defeats that purpose.

Besides, most of the classes where attendance was taken were filled with disruptive people, sleeping people, and people who really didn't want to be there.

And as far as the argument that "you paid for it so use it"... just because you have car insurance doesn't mean you intentionally seek out ways to use it.

Answer 5

Yes. As a kid I used to think it wasn't fair since you're paying for it. Given how much financial aid most of us receive, it would be incredibly irresponsible to spend someone else's money to sleep in. You're being graded on your knowledge and application of a given subject. If you're not there to learn the knowledge and apply it, then your grade should reflect that. Besides, most colleges have a pretty lax attendance policy. I think I was able to miss up to 25%, which is pretty darn good!

Answer 6

Students should be allowed to make their own decision about attending class or not but they should attend every class possible and make their best efforts to go.

Answer 7

Statistics show that the majority of students cannot do well in class if they are not IN class. To be certain, there will be some who do well regardless. I found that talking privately with my professors would often allow me to miss more than the average amount of days. Oh, how I hated some of my classes!

Answer 8

In my experience of higher education there was always a mark for class contribution for all on campus classes. This may only be a small percentage of the overall mark but one I was not willing to give away.

Answer 9

no. i think by this age college students can make the decision themselves to attend classes or not. they can fail for not attending..simple as that.

Answer 10

No; they're adults (in theory) and responsible for their own choices. However, those who choose to skip class should expect no mercy and no sympathy from the professor, and expect nobody to save them from the consequence of that choice.