I’m currently in 10th grade and I’ve had 10 latenesses to school since August 27th and 30 to my first period class. Does class tardiness matter? How can these effect me? My grades are all straight As so far so it doesn’t affect my education.
How much does it matter to whom?
To your first period teacher? Let’s just say you’ve eliminated him or her from the people you can ask for a letter of recommendation, regardless of your grades.
To the material he or she is covering? One of two things are happening while you’re on your way to a class that has already started: either they’re sitting patiently, waiting for you to show up, or material is being taught. My guess is that you’re missing the foundation to the material that you eventually show up for. That foundation doesn’t show up on tests, so your grades are still decent. But down the road-- maybe next year or in college-- knowing and understanding that material may make a difference.
To you? Well, around April of your senior year, the Academic Council-- or whatever it’s called in your school-- will meet to discuss who gets the big graduation awards. Whoever it is who is in charge of attendance is part of that council. In my school, a pattern of continued tardiness would eliminate you in favor of other, equally qualified kids who aren’t tardy 10 times in 4 months.
To you, long term? Habits are hard to break. A pattern of not getting out of bed in time for your first period class 10 times in 4 months as a sophomore may very well translate into 15 times as a Junior and 20 times as a Senior… and that’s not going to bode well for you as a college student or an adult. Your future boss will have no patience for this stuff-- show up on time or don’t bother working there.
So here’s my question to you: Why are you tardy so often? Is there a medical issue of some sort? Are you working the late shift to help your parents pay the bills? Why are you unable to get out of bed in time to get to class before the bell? I would suggest you figure out what the problem is and work to solve it.
Is this a question because you are considering a career as a doctor…or is this general high school question?
In our school district, 10 unexcused tardies in one semester means you may not promoted to the next grade and your parent(s) must have a meeting with principal to set up an attendance remediation plan.
At my son’s high school, excessive tardies resulted in weekend school/Saturday detention for a half day.
Some teachers will drop half a grade for tardies/excessive lack of attendance as well at my son’s current college, as it’s extremely disruptive and considered rude. For smaller classes it’s extremely noticeable.
We had a family that was always late for school. Always. When it came time for standardized testing and they were late, all three had to sit in the office for the testing period (2 hours?) because the instructions had already been given and they didn’t want to interrupt the class. Too bad for them.
It is a very rude habit. I wont go to the movies with my best friend because she’s always late. I made an exception last week and guess what? Late again. Good excuse, car with a flat tire, but still late. It will be a long time before I agree to another movie with her.
Get to class on time or don’t take a first period class.
Some high schools will report it on the transcript. Yes, adcoms can notice. And what do you think their reaction will be?
And it takes more than A grades to get into a good college.
Being tardy consistently will most likely have a major impact on your life. Personally, I’d fire you the third time you were late in less than a quarter or in the academic arena, not allow you to join class. It shows immaturity, a lack of ambition, lack of drive, and is just plain rude. I had a couple of friends who were always late and over the years I’ve pretty much withdrawn from social events with them. The fact they don’t understand why picking me up/meeting me late or showing up with an offered appetizer just as dessert is being served really made me angry. I won’t play games and tell people a half hour earlier than necessary or any other games. If being with me isn’t the priority for that block of time, I don’t want to spend it with you. I make a point of being on time for everything, I can count how many times I’ve been late for work in 45 years, probably less than a dozen, all emergencies of some sort.
Time to grow up and act responsibly.
As an FYI, I’ve had some college classes (seminars rather than lectures obviously) where 3 latenesses = an unexcused absence and 3 unexcused absences = F in the course. In the real world, a pattern of lateness to a job will get you terminated. You need to correct this sooner rather than later.
I had a friend whose kids were so chronically late and absent that cps was called. I agree with the others that this is a terrible habit and should be addressed now.