Skipping class can be costly in multiple ways. Students will lose on average $6,586 for every hour of class skipped due to lost tuition costs. It also takes more time and effort to study on your own without the benefit of attending lectures. Regularly skipping reduces opportunities to learn from professors and meet new people. While occasional skipping may be necessary for important reasons like illness or interviews, making it a habit can seriously hurt your academic and career success in both college and future jobs.

1. College Bad Habits: Skipping Class Edition
By: Stephanie Rodgers
If you were to ask a teacher if it’s really that bad to skip class, they would probably give you a
three-hour lecture that would make you regret ever asking it in the first place. But the teachers are right-
although it might seem like a great idea to skip class when you’re feeling lazy and don’t want to change
out of your pajamas, it will do you more harm than good.
Most notably, skipping class is a waste of your tuition dollars. In a study titled “The True Cost of
Skipping Class [Info graphic]” enacted by a branch of the Edvisors network (national experts and
thought leaders on student financial aid, college scholarships and student loans), the average student will
lose about $6,586.32 in skipped hour-long classes, and it will take about 350+ hours of work, or about
8.8 full paychecks to pay off all skipped classes, given that you have a job paying about $19 an hour.
Something to consider the next time you’re contemplating skipping class is the more you go to
class, the less you have to study. You’ll spend less time studying for tests by showing up to class,
soaking in all the information and asking questions about things you didn’t understand from the reading.
Radiologic technology program director at the Allegany College of Maryland, Cathy Kline states, “You
can read the book, but when you’re sitting in class discussing, you just can’t make that [time] up.” Many
professors also have attendance policies. Every instructor handles attendance differently, but they’ll still
notice when students aren’t there.
Something most people forget about when they want to miss class is that you’ll also be missing
out on meeting new people. College is all about new experiences and networking with others, and if you
stay in your dorm all day, you’re passing up what could be some awesome experiences in the future.
But on a rare occasion it may be necessary. Skipping class should be the exception, not the
routine; make sure if you skip, you have a good reason to do so, such as job interviews, family
emergencies, or sickness. That means actually being ill, not just hung-over. Writer Katherine Kendig
from USA Today gives students a piece of advice: “Perfect attendance isn’t necessary for a successful
college career. But think of it this way: eventually “classes” will become “a job.” If your reason for
skipping class wouldn’t be good enough for skipping work … go to class, and avoid being failed OR
fired in the future.”
Every time you give yourself permission to skip class “just because,” you’re paving the way for
another exception, and another and another. And while one or two skips might not matter, you’ll
eventually run into problems: Not knowing how to do an assignment. Not knowing there IS an
assignment, etc. Overall, the next time you’re feeling lazy or “forget” to set your alarm, think about all
you’ll be missing and how much more effort it will take to get caught up.

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References:
 "The True Cost of Skipping Class [Infographic]." Student Scholarship Search. Web. 11 Aug. 2014.
<http://www.studentscholarshipsearch.com/tips/cost-of-skipping-class.php>.
 Kendig, Katherine. "A Few Good Reasons to Skip Class ... and a Few Bad Ones." USA TODAY
College. 1 Nov. 2013. Web. 11 Aug. 2014. <http://college.usatoday.com/2013/11/01/a-few-good-
reasons-to-skip-class-and-a-few-bad-ones/>.