Whether you have an appointment or you’re genuinely ill, sometimes it is impossible for you to make it to class. As students, we’re forced to balance attendance with our physical health and future jobs. We need to go to class to learn the material so we can get a job. At times, we need to stay home because we are ill, are unable to move, and would be a bigger distraction to the class if we were actually there.
I’d like to ask a favor of my fellow college students: stop screwing around. Stop making professors assume that “sick” is the same thing as “hangover”.
I’m not asking you to stop partying or screwing yourself over. I gladly applaud you making it easier for me to get a job in the future. I gladly applaud you doing what you want to do with your life, whether that is killing brain cells, organs, or both at the same time.
What frustrates me is when I am home because of a genuine medical issue, and teachers assume that I didn’t show up because I’m too drunk or too high to make my way to class. I’d appreciate it if you stopped perpetuating the stereotype.
For those few, 2% or so of the population who doesn’t get high or drink alcohol, there are some things to do when you do have to miss class for a legitimate reason.
-Get a doctor’s note. Most universities have student health centers where you can go get an excuse for class. It’s meaningless most of the time, but it’s better than nothing.
-If you are missing class for something planned, like a job interview, inform your professor or TA that you will be gone and ask what will be covered and if there is anything that you need to make up.
-If there’s a family emergency, forget your classes. I’m of the opinion that family and friends are more important than a grade. If a professor disagrees and penalizes you for it, screw them. Write them nasty reviews on myspace, facebook, and all other “rate my professor” type websites.
-If you can, really try to go to class. Even if you sleep in the back and don’t do anything, at least you get the attendance. Go up afterward and explain that you don’t mean any disrespect. Get a doctor’s note explaining your situation for proof.
blogger image uploader is down. sorry for the lack of entertaining pictures for this post.
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2 comments:
I always have the problem that when I'm genuinely sick and I can't make it to class where attendence is mandatory, my teachers make me bring a doctors note. I absolutely hate the doctor and won't go unless I am convinced I have something really serious like a fever that won't subside or think I have mono. So I never have a doctors note to show. I think professors should be a little more understanding with the doctors note thing or allow a few absences in a semester in case of emergency sicknesses like this.
Yeah, I've never understood how I'm supposed to drag myself to the doctor's when I have a migraine and can't move without puking up stomach acid.
I don't understand why some professors don't understand that emergencies happen.
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