Spend just one short day on campus and I can almost guarantee you will hear someone groan the words “I don’t want to go to class.” As students, it’s easy to get caught up in the busy lifestyle of going to class, doing homework, squeezing in meals here and there and repeating the vicious cycle all over again. It’s no wonder we get overwhelmed academically. The issue begins to rise is when students actually begin to skip class on a regular basis, either because they have too much going on or they simply don’t feel like going.
According to the Keene State College website, the total cost of attendance for students who are residents of New Hampshire is $24,003; the cost is $32,387 for out-of-state students. This is a significant amount of money. Even after financial aid and scholarships, many of us rack up thousands of dollars in student debt. Yet this “I don’t want to go to class” culture continues to exist.
Tim Smith / Photo editor
Built into most courses are excused absences. Most professors understand that we are all, in fact, human and that unfortunate circumstances do come up. Illness and family issues, among other things, do certainly arise, and there should be forgiveness for those types of situations. But often we will see students skip class to lie in bed and watch Netflix. It is without a doubt up to the student what to make of their education. If a student wants to be lazy and not give their best effort, that is their decision to make.
However, as the editors of this paper we believe we may be able to positively influence some of the students on this campus. It’s really as simple as this: tough it out and go to class. Don’t skip for silly excuses; it’s only hurting you and your education. Every time you contemplate skipping class remember how much you or your parents are paying for you to be there in class. There is a lot to gain from being in class. Building relationships with professors and your fellow classmates can help you in the long-run. Take advantage of your class time, ask questions and engage in discussion. Let’s face it, we pay so much money to attend this school. Be sure to work hard for your professors but also remember to make your professors work for you. Use them as a resource, talk to them about their experiences and get to know who they are. You may find they are more interesting than you would have thought.
Don’t forget that being in college is a privilege many will never have. There are plenty of people out there who would love to be in your position. Education is a powerful tool, and the more you know, the more socially aware you become and, eventually, the more you will learn about yourself and who you are as a person.
Most importantly, consider this: the skills you gain in class are skills you will one day be using in your job after college. Although you may not realize it at the time, it’s true. Even skills we take for granted like reading and writing are skills we need to practice every day. The standard class at KSC is an hour and 45 minutes. If we can spend that amount of time (usually even more) watching a movie, why can’t we spend that amount of time learning? It is important to constantly remind ourselves why we are here. Remember that major you’re working toward? What is it you want out of it? Apply your efforts and interests as much toward your academics as you would other things and you may find yourself growing to actually enjoy learning. After all, it’s a privilege many will never know.
