It was 8:05 AM on a crisp Tuesday morning, and as I glanced at the seats in front of me, I noticed the familiar pattern: empty chairs, scattered students, and an attendance list half-filled with excuses that would be amusing if they weren't so frustrating. This semester alone, I've heard it all: "I had to drive my friend to get a tattoo," "I stayed up all night doing laundry," "I can't walk to class because I got stitches," and even, "My mom is having surgery, so I'm staying home for a week." As creative as these excuses might be, they underscore a serious issue: students aren’t coming to class.

If you're a parent investing tens of thousands of dollars into your child's education, this might sound all too familiar—and all too frustrating. Missing class has become an epidemic on college campuses, and it’s time we talk about why showing up is absolutely non-negotiable.

Here's why attendance matters: every class your student skips is a missed opportunity—not just academically, but personally. They miss explanations, examples, in-class discussions, and spontaneous insights. Unlike high school, professors often share vital information only during class lectures, and not everything makes it onto slides or online notes.

Could your student catch up on their own? Maybe. But realistically, the missed context, peer discussions, and the nuances of classroom interactions make that incredibly difficult. Students regularly underestimate how far behind they fall after even a single missed class, let alone a week.

Think about it this way: missing class is like skipping episodes of a TV series. Sure, you might piece together what happened, but you’ll inevitably miss important plot details that shape the bigger picture. The more episodes missed, the harder it is to stay engaged, and eventually, frustration and overwhelm kick in.

But let's be clear—there are legitimate reasons to miss class: serious illness, family emergencies, or unavoidable circumstances like car accidents or severe injuries. Professors understand life happens. What professors struggle with, however, are absences due to poor planning or trivial reasons.

The stitches example? Understandable—for a day or two. But missing an entire week? Most campuses have resources, from campus shuttles to temporary accommodations, that students simply aren’t taking advantage of. Communication with professors and campus support can make all the difference between manageable and catastrophic.

As parents, your role here is crucial. Discuss the importance of attendance with your student openly. Encourage them to see attendance not just as a chore, but as an essential part of the college experience—an investment in their own success.

When your student shows up regularly, they're not just boosting their chances of good grades; they're building discipline, fostering accountability, and developing connections with peers and professors. These relationships are invaluable, opening doors to mentorship, recommendation letters, internships, and job opportunities.

Here’s a practical tip you can share: encourage your student to form accountability partnerships with classmates. Agreeing to attend class together can dramatically reduce the temptation to skip. Having someone counting on you makes it tougher to hit snooze and far easier to build good attendance habits.

Regular class attendance isn’t about perfection—it’s about consistency, growth, and building a strong foundation for lifelong success. Your student deserves to get the most out of their college experience, and it starts simply by showing up.