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Why Students Struggle with Attendance – A Student’s Perspective

Why student struggle with attendance


Let’s be honest—attending every class in school is easier said than done. While the rules are clear and attendance often affects grades, many students still struggle to show up consistently. But why is that?

As a student, I’ve seen and experienced several reasons that go beyond just “laziness.” And maybe it’s time we look at the deeper issues.


1. Early Morning Lectures

A lot of students live off-campus and have to wake up as early as 5 AM just to make an 8 AM lecture. With little or no transportation support and unpredictable traffic, it’s not always possible to be on time—or even make it at all.


2. Poor Class Engagement

Let’s be real: if a lecturer only reads slides for two hours or doesn’t interact with the class, students lose interest. Nobody wants to sit through a class where they feel they’re not learning anything new or meaningful.


3. Mental Health & Burnout

Many students are dealing with stress, anxiety, or even depression—but hardly talk about it. When your mind is heavy, showing up for class becomes one of the hardest things to do.


4. Unclear Schedules

Sometimes, class schedules change suddenly without proper notice. A student may get to class only to hear “the lecturer isn’t around today” for the third time that week. It becomes discouraging.


5. No Consequences or Rewards

In some cases, lecturers don’t take attendance seriously or enforce the rules. When students realize that their presence doesn’t really matter, they choose to use the time for something else—studying, resting, or side hustles.


Conclusion

Instead of only blaming students for poor attendance, maybe it’s time schools and lecturers look at the system too. Better communication, engaging lectures, and support for students can make a huge difference. At the end of the day, we all want to learn—but the environment must make it possible.

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