Skipping class Ferris Bueller style
Tammie Pack and Bethany Hart
Issue date: 10/5/06 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Skipping class without a legitimate reason seems to be almost a rite of passage for the typical college student at Wittenberg University. Whether students are sleeping in, partying, shopping, or just hanging out, skipping class can seem necessary to their mental health in a world full of exams, term papers, and studying, according to some students.
"Skipping is irresponsible," said Drew, a sophomore. "However, it is occasionally necessary in order to remain sane when extremely stressed."
In a recent unscientific and informal survey conducted by students in an introductory journalism class, 146 Witt students were polled on their experiences regarding skipping class. Students were asked about their skipping habits, to reveal their top excuses, and the most fun they've had while not attending class. The majority of the responses included occasional absences to party, shop, have sex, get high, or venture outside of Springfield. Some students even left the country to go on vacation. The goal of the skip day was to squeeze in as much fun as possible before hitting the books again, the students said.
In order to begin their day of freedom, it is first necessary for some students to come up with a good excuse to give to their professors. The most popular excuses were illness and exhaustion, followed by a death in the family. Junior Shannon Ring's grandpa has died three times this semester. Some students, like Matt, a junior, have played the Good Samaritan card.
"There was a lady on crutches that fell down the stairs on the ice and I had to help her up," he said.
Although some professors at Wittenberg have been known to cancel classes on Labor Day, a federal holiday, Wittenberg doesn't recognize it as an official day off. Still, some students wish it would be. When students in Dan Fleisch's astronomy class asked him if he planned on holding class that day, his views on the issue were clear.
"I get the feeling that some of you are hoping we won't have class, even though you're paying Wittenberg about $40 for that hour," replied the physics professor to his students in an e-mail. "I'm not sure why you'd want to spend money for nothing-but if it's someone else's money that you're spending, maybe it's time for a little self-assessment."
Twenty out of the 146 students polled said they hadn't skipped class because they didn't want to jeopardize their academic reputations. Junior Megan Arthur said she has had perfect attendance since the second grade. Almost half of the students polled do believe that professors should have an attendance policy.
"If you're majoring in the subject you should only be allowed three absences," said Jessica, a sophomore.
Attendance policy or not, as long as there is school, students will skip classes. This is as predictable as the sixth sequel to "Rocky." In the words of Ferris Bueller, the most famous class skipper of all, "Life moves pretty fast; if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
"Skipping is irresponsible," said Drew, a sophomore. "However, it is occasionally necessary in order to remain sane when extremely stressed."
In a recent unscientific and informal survey conducted by students in an introductory journalism class, 146 Witt students were polled on their experiences regarding skipping class. Students were asked about their skipping habits, to reveal their top excuses, and the most fun they've had while not attending class. The majority of the responses included occasional absences to party, shop, have sex, get high, or venture outside of Springfield. Some students even left the country to go on vacation. The goal of the skip day was to squeeze in as much fun as possible before hitting the books again, the students said.
In order to begin their day of freedom, it is first necessary for some students to come up with a good excuse to give to their professors. The most popular excuses were illness and exhaustion, followed by a death in the family. Junior Shannon Ring's grandpa has died three times this semester. Some students, like Matt, a junior, have played the Good Samaritan card.
"There was a lady on crutches that fell down the stairs on the ice and I had to help her up," he said.
Although some professors at Wittenberg have been known to cancel classes on Labor Day, a federal holiday, Wittenberg doesn't recognize it as an official day off. Still, some students wish it would be. When students in Dan Fleisch's astronomy class asked him if he planned on holding class that day, his views on the issue were clear.
"I get the feeling that some of you are hoping we won't have class, even though you're paying Wittenberg about $40 for that hour," replied the physics professor to his students in an e-mail. "I'm not sure why you'd want to spend money for nothing-but if it's someone else's money that you're spending, maybe it's time for a little self-assessment."
Twenty out of the 146 students polled said they hadn't skipped class because they didn't want to jeopardize their academic reputations. Junior Megan Arthur said she has had perfect attendance since the second grade. Almost half of the students polled do believe that professors should have an attendance policy.
"If you're majoring in the subject you should only be allowed three absences," said Jessica, a sophomore.
Attendance policy or not, as long as there is school, students will skip classes. This is as predictable as the sixth sequel to "Rocky." In the words of Ferris Bueller, the most famous class skipper of all, "Life moves pretty fast; if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
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