<p>I have a few questions about attendance and absences in college..... For my school (and most others that I have read), it is pretty much decided by each individual professor, which is quite different than high school obviously. In general, do the professors require that you attend every class? What about labs?</p>
<p>And what about being sick? In high school, since it is mandated by the government, every time I was out sick I had to get a note from my doctor for my dates of absences. Does the same apply to a college or do they just take your word for it?</p>
<p>Also, when you are sick in college, do you go to class anyway? Unfortunately I get sick a lot -- including problems with asthma -- and although I go when I have something that ISN'T contagious (e.g. just feeling awful from allergies), there are some times when I have like the flu or a stomach bug or my asthma is so bad that I'm doing nebulizer treatments every 4 hours and it just isn't feasible to go... Do most people stay home under those circumstances?</p>
<p>Everything is generally up to the professor. Some make you sign in (FAR more common for freshman level classes, and still rare there,) some give "attendance quizzes" which are easy quizzes that reward coming to class, and some just don't care. Most don't care. Most professors will require some sort of note from a doctor for absences if you miss something you have to make up, although if you know them and especially if it's a smaller class they may not.</p>
<p>Personally, I don't remember ever not going to class because I was sick. There are some classes that you can skip and be fine, although you should give it some time and get to know the classes before deciding which are ok to skip and which aren't. It's just easier to go ahead and go to class 9 out of 10 times if you're not really contagious or bedridden. Just tough it out if you can. If you can't and you can't get a doctor to sign off on it you should probably go ahead and tough it out anyway.</p>
<p>You can get so behind in college by missing class. I go out of my way to make sure I don't miss a class. It is just a bigger pain to get caught up. If really sick, of course, stay in bed or you will make it worse. If your asthma is manageable, then you should be going to class. Professors' decisions on attendance is a personality thing and is not an indicator that not attending is OK. Basically those who are not strict on attendance assume you are old enough to be responsible and show up!</p>
<p>Skipping labs is a terrible idea and will get you bad grades regardless of the professor.</p>
<p>Classes are up to the Professor. I've had one where you fail after missing three classes and ones where no attendance is taken at all. When you're sick, you can choose not to go and if you have an excuse generally be okay. But you're almost always still responsible for the work and the information from that class period, so your grades might suffer. Being sick isn't the "get out of class free" card it is in highschool, especially if it's not something major a doctor would sign for.</p>
<p>Don't skip labs unless you're dying. If that's the case talk to your prof/GSI and try to do a make-up (as terrible as that may sound).</p>
<p>Very few lecture classes require you to go to class. A small humanities class or discussion may take attendance, however.</p>
<p>If you feel sick, it's really up to you. Some people will go to class regardless of how ill they feel. Most people don't hesitate to miss class, regardless of being sick =P.</p>