We cover why attendance is important in college, why you should attend your lectures, as well as when it’s okay to skip, and how to do it responsibly.
There are many reasons that students skip lectures – some are valid, and others are not.
But as our education becomes increasingly digitized, more students are wondering why lectures are important, especially when notes and slides are uploaded to student portals, and lecture recordings are available on YouTube.
So, what exactly is a lecture? Why should you attend your lectures? When you attend your lectures, how can you maximize your learning potential?
Read on for 4 excellent reasons to attend your lectures and one guideline for skipping.
Why you should attend college lectures
1. Lectures are the basis for all your assessment
One of the reasons that many students skip lectures is because they feel that they are a waste of time. But lectures can actually save you time and will serve as a map for your assignments and exams.
A good lecturer will sign-post your way to exam questions with key terms, definitions, examples, and shortcuts.
Pay attention to how your lecturer presents information and take good (not copious) notes.
- Does the professor get excited about a certain subject?
- Do they tell you when something will or won’t be on the tests?
- Does you lecturer repeat terms or ideas frequently?
All these things can guide your studies and save time during revision and assignments.
2. Lectures teach focus
One reason students think lectures are boring is because they require concentration, but learning to concentrate and learning through concentration are very valuable skills that will serve you in your studies and your career.
In a world where your attention is arguably your greatest asset (global net ad revenues reached $853 billion in 2023 alone), actively practicing it will bring you a tangible benefit in the long-term.
If it’s hard to focus on lectures, take notes actively. Don’t just copy the slides or (worse yet) try to take down verbatim what the lecturer says. If your lecturer posts slides before class, print or download them and use them as an outline.
💡 Pro tip: Establish a note-taking system that works for you. Here are a few common ways of speeding up the mechanics of writing so that you can spend more time listening to the lecture:
- Use colors to highlight key ideas
- Abbreviations and symbols are great for representing specific terms
- Initials can work great instead of writing out full names
3. You’ll get information you can’t find anywhere else
One of the biggest reasons to attend lectures is that the lecturer will present information that is neither outlined on the slides nor covered in the course material—anything from important facts or tips to changes in the dates of the assignments or exams.
Moreover, lectures aren’t just about the person standing before the class presenting. If you don’t attend class, you won’t have the chance to ask questions (or hear the questions other students ask,) and you won’t be able to interact with others in your course. Lecturers and professors may be the ‘experts,’ but you’ll be surprised at how much you can learn from your classmates.
4. Lectures give you opportunities
Networking
So, go to your lectures and ask questions.
Speak up if you don’t understand something, participate in discussions, and don’t be afraid to talk to your professor, your TA, or the other students after class.
Extra resources
Pay attention to more than just the class material.
Did your lecturer mention a website, event, or company in passing that sparked your interest? Make a note and follow up on it after class – you’re taking this course because the subject interests you, and chances are there are aspects of the field you’ve never considered:
- The concert your music appreciation lecturer mentioned could inspire your next composition.
- That start-up your business professor used as an example might be looking for interns.
- The novella your literature TA used as a slide illustration might form the basis of your senior thesis.
If nothing else, attending lectures and asking questions can help you form a relationship with your professors – especially important when you need a good reference for scholarships, grad school, or even a job.
If you must skip, do it for a good reason and take responsibility
One of the most important aspects of a university education is learning to learn.
It’s just as important to take responsibility for your education, and sometimes missing a lecture is both responsible and necessary.
“Good” reasons for not attending class
- Illness: Feeling unwell or having a contagious condition
- Medical appointment: Scheduled doctor’s or dentist’s visit
- Family emergency: Urgent family matters requiring immediate attention
- Personal emergency: Unforeseen personal issues or crises
- Mental health: Needing a mental health day due to stress or anxiety
- Professional development: Attending a job interview or professional conference
- Childcare: Needing to take care of a sick child or unexpected childcare issues
- Work Obligations: Unforeseen work commitments
- House emergencies: E.g., plumbing or electrical issues.
Follow up on the lecture afterward
If you decide that something is more pressing than attending class, make sure that you follow up on the lecture that you missed.
- Get the lecture notes from your student portal or a classmate.
- Contact your professor or TA:
- First, apologize for missing the lecture
- Second, ask if there was any vital material that you missed
- Consider stopping by your lecturer’s office hours to collect any hand-outs or ask any questions you may have.
Remember, you’re accountable for what you learn; your education is only as good or bad as you make it.
Conclusion
Attending lectures is a crucial aspect of your university education, offering benefits beyond just the academic content presented.
Attending lectures gives you access to vital assessment information, develop concentration skills, and receive unique insights not found in course materials. Moreover, lectures provide networking opportunities and a platform for active engagement with professors and peers, enriching your overall academic experience.
However, it is also essential to recognize that sometimes missing a lecture might be necessary due to valid reasons such as illness or emergencies. In such cases, taking responsibility by catching up on missed content ensures you remain accountable for your education.
Ultimately, attending lectures regularly will significantly enhance your learning experience, better prepare you for assessments, and foster valuable connections that can support your academic and professional journey.