Understanding Student Attendance: A Peculiar Phenomenon
It’s a mystery that continues to perplex me: students who enroll in classes yet seldom, if ever, attend. This begs the question—what are these students prioritizing instead? Where could they possibly be?
Just last semester, one of my professors voiced a similar concern about a student who seemed to vanish entirely from class. The professor suggested that if this individual had no intention of attending, it would have made sense to drop the course, as their absence was undoubtedly impacting their grade. It felt as though this student was a ghost—their presence entirely overlooked.
While I can fathom the reasoning behind occasional absences, especially in settings where attendance is not strictly enforced, I find myself in an environment where participation is crucial. Yet, surprising behavior abounds; students seem to selectively choose when to attend. For instance, during the midterm exam of one class this semester, almost half of the students were absent. This was particularly puzzling, as some of these individuals were often regular attendees.
There’s one student who remains an enigma—she has only graced our class with her presence twice: once last week and once a while ago. I couldn’t even tell you if she is officially enrolled since she’s never voiced a word during attendance calls and only lingered for a mere ten minutes before vanishing again. It leaves me wondering: Who is she?
To compound my confusion, I’ve observed some classmates who only make it to class a handful of times throughout the semester. They frequently seem unaware of why their grades are lacking, and some even express frustration toward professors. It’s a sight I’ve witnessed on more than one occasion.
Perhaps this behavior is indicative of the unique demographic at my school. Unlike traditional universities, I attend an art college, specifically focusing on film. This environment does attract a variety of intriguing personalities, each with their own perspectives on education and commitment.
One thing is for certain, though: despite my own reservations on certain days, I make a conscious effort to attend classes. After all, the investment has been made, and it seems only logical to derive value from it rather than allowing it to go to waste.
