Skipping class is a common occurrence for many college students. With newfound independence and many social opportunities, it can be tempting for students to skip classes, especially ones they find uninteresting or difficult. However, skipping class too often can negatively impact academic performance and graduation prospects. So how often is too often when it comes to skipping class in college? Let’s take a closer look at the data and research around this question.
How Many Classes Do College Students Skip Per Semester?
According to a survey conducted by Inside Higher Ed and Gallup, about a third of college students skip classes at least once per semester. The survey polled students from more than 100 three- and four-year colleges across the United States. Here is a breakdown of how often students reported skipping class:
| Frequency | Percentage of Students |
|---|---|
| Never | 32% |
| 1-2 times per semester | 36% |
| 3-5 times per semester | 16% |
| More than 5 times per semester | 16% |
As the table shows, over two-thirds of students skip class at least once per semester, with a full one-third skipping 3 or more times. This data indicates that skipping class is in fact very common among today’s college students.
Key Statistics
– 32% of students report never skipping class
– 36% skip 1-2 times per semester
– 16% skip 3-5 times per semester
– 16% skip more than 5 times per semester
How Often Do Students Skip By Year in School?
The frequency of skipping class also seems to vary based on a student’s year in school. According to the same Inside Higher Ed survey, freshman were least likely to skip class often, while seniors were most likely to be frequent skippers.
| Year in School | Skip 3+ Times Per Semester |
|---|---|
| Freshman | 13% |
| Sophomore | 16% |
| Junior | 18% |
| Senior | 23% |
These results suggest that once students have been in college for a while, they are more likely to skip classes frequently. Over 20% of seniors report skipping at least 3 classes per semester.
Key Takeaways
– Freshmen are least likely to frequently skip class (13%)
– Seniors are most likely to frequently skip class (23%)
– Skipping 3+ classes per semester increases each year in school
How Often Do College Students Miss Class?
In addition to intentionally skipping class, college students often miss class for other reasons like illnesses, emergencies, travel issues, and forgetting to set an alarm. According to NBC News, college students miss class an average of 8-10 times per semester, which equates to missing 12-15% of classes.
This absenteeism adds up over time. A student who misses 8-10 classes per semester and attends college for 4 years will miss 128-160 class sessions before graduating. That’s nearly an entire semester’s worth of missed instructional time and material.
Key Facts
– On average, college students miss 8-10 classes per semester
– This results in 12-15% of classes being missed per semester
– Over 4 years, a typical student misses 128-160 classes
How Do Absences Impact Grades?
Multiple studies have shown a correlation between missing class in college and lower grades.
One study published in the Journal of College Student Retention examined attendance and grades over four years. Students who missed class infrequently (0-3 absences per semester) had an average GPA of 3.08. For students who missed more than 6 days per semester, the average GPA dropped to 2.85.
Additional research has found:
- Each absence per semester decreases a student’s GPA by 0.05-0.10 points.
- Missing 10% of classes reduces the average course grade by half a letter grade (e.g. A to B+).
- Students with lower ACT scores suffer academically from absences more than students with high ACT scores.
The more classes a student misses, the more detrimental the impact on their academic achievement. Even infrequent absences can slowly chip away at grades over time.
Key Insights on Grades
– Each missed class lowers GPA by 0.05-0.10 points
– Missing 10% of classes reduces course grade by half letter
– Absences impact students with low ACT scores more
What Are the Most Commonly Skipped College Classes?
Not all classes are skipped equally. Certain types of college courses tend to have higher rates of absenteeism.
Early Morning Classes
Classes that meet early in the morning, especially 8am courses, are prone to higher absenteeism. Many college students struggle with morning routines and may intentionally skip these early classes in order to sleep in. According to Inside Higher Ed, classes that start before 9am have 10% greater absenteeism compared to late morning and afternoon courses.
Large Lecture Hall Classes
Large lecture-style classes are another course type associated with higher rates of skipping. With hundreds of students in one lecture hall, it can be easier for a few students to skip without the professor noticing. Additionally, some students may feel less engaged during lectures with limited student-teacher interaction.
General Education Requirements
Students are more likely to skip classes that are general education requirements outside of their major. These courses may not interest them as deeply and seem less relevant to their future careers. However, it’s important not to dismiss these classes as unimportant. General education courses provide critical writing, math, communication, and critical thinking skills that are valuable across all majors and careers.
Online Classes
For obvious reasons, it can be tempting and easy for students to skip their online classes. Without having to physically show up somewhere, it’s simpler to sleep through a morning Zoom lecture. Online courses require greater discipline and accountability to avoid skipping.
Why Do College Students Skip Class?
Now that we’ve explored how prevalent skipping class is and which classes are skipped most, let’s examine the underlying reasons why students skip class in the first place.
Lack of Interest
As mentioned above, students are more likely to skip classes they find boring or irrelevant to their major and future career. Required general education and survey courses often fall into this category if students don’t see their value right away.
Difficulty of Material
When classes get difficult with challenging new concepts and demanding projects, some students react by skipping to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Skipping becomes a way to reduce stress in the moment. However, this avoidance technique can backfire as the challenging material piles up.
Lack of Engagement
Classes can sometimes feel dull and unengaging, especially lectures with hundreds of students. Skippers may feel anonymous and disengaged during large lectures. Smaller, discussion-based classes tend to have lower absence rates.
Lack of Consequences
With limited grading penalties and accountability at many colleges, students know they can skip with minimal immediate consequences. Unfortunately this reinforces the behavior and habit of skipping.
Burnout
College students endure a lot of stress and burnout. When feeling completely exhausted, skipping class can seem like an alluring way to take a break and recharge. But excessive absences tend to just increase long-term stress as students fall behind.
FOMO
The “fear of missing out” is real among college students with active social lives. If an exciting social opportunity arises, some students will skip class not to miss the fun. But FOMO can undermine academics over time.
Work Commitments
Some students have heavy work schedules in addition to classes, which can lead to prioritizing work over attendance. However, academics should remain the top priority for success in college. Missing work is better than missing class.
Living Arrangements
Students who live off campus rather than in college dorms are more likely to skip class. They lack the immersive on-campus environment that encourages attendance. Some may also commute long distances, increasing temptation to skip.
Tips for Skipping Class Less
For students wanting to break the skipping habit, here are some tips:
– Treat school like a job and class attendance as mandatory
– Scheduling classes later in the day if you struggle with mornings
– Avoid scheduling long blocks of free time which tempt skipping
– Sit near the front to feel more engaged with the professor
– Schedule doctor appointments, job shifts, etc. around class times
– Maintain a regular morning routine that gets you to class on time
– Remind yourself that each class covers important material
– Talk to professors if you are struggling with concepts or burnout
– Surround yourself with students who attend regularly and hold you accountable
– Review the syllabus and record days with quizzes, exams, or assignments so you don’t miss those crucial days
Conclusion
Skipping the occasional class here and there is inevitable for many college students. However, developing a habit of excessive absenteeism can derail academic success. The data clearly shows links between missing class and poorer grades. While skipping may seem harmless in the moment, students should examine the underlying reasons contributing to their behavior. Addressing issues like lack of engagement, difficult material, or morning routines can help minimize absenteeism. With discipline and commitment to their education, college students can break the skipping cycle and attend consistently.