Should University Students Be Required to Attend Classes?

The transition from high school to university can be challenging for many students. Students quickly notice differences between the academic expectations of high school compared to those of universities. High school is heavily structured, students’ attendance and participation are regularly monitored, and teachers are in daily contact with them and provide regular feedback. On the contrary, university students are responsible for organising their course schedules. They are not mandated to attend lectures regularly and professors do not monitor their attendance in the majority of the courses. Additionally, assignments and tests are the only source of feedback. Students experience a higher level of discretion and freedom in universities. However, the freedom given to students can have negative impacts on their academic success. Many students attend the lectures sporadically and some do not attend them at all and merely do the assigned work. Moreover, students who attend lectures regularly and come to lectures prepared are more likely to succeed and do well in the course than students who do not. The lectures provide the opportunity to further explore and discuss ideas as well as ask questions and clear up any ambiguities about that specific idea. Therefore, universities should promote regular attendance by making students realize their financial, academic and social responsibilities as university students.

Enrolling in a university can be a financial burden on students. Some are able to get support from their families while others have to rely on federal and provincial loans. Taking loans from the government often has interest rates when it comes to paying them back. With this cost in mind, students should understand that is it ...

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...lly. Students pay a lot of tuition to university, and by attending their classes they would know if they are on the right place or not. Also gives them the choice stay in the same program or change it. Building relationships are beneficial for our future references. Many students continue with higher-level education and they would need a reference letter for it. Therefore, professors can be the best to give a reference letter. On the other hand, there are reasons to keep class attendance requirements as they are. As a high school student many of us had our parents after us to get our homework done, but part of universities are learning to do things for our own self. If classes were made mandatory it would be like our parents telling us to do the homework. We only go if we make that choice and that is part of growing up, which is a lesson university should teach.