At university, we tend to live a utopian existence (of sorts), which means that even a 10 o’clock lecture can seem like a real hardship. Skipping lectures simply because you can’t get out of bed is not something we would ever recommend, and it’s definitely not something you should do on a regular basis. However, the reality is that it’s something the majority of students will do once at some point.

Of course, there are also many legitimate reasons why you might need to miss a lecture, whether it’s a hospital appointment, family commitments or a bout of sickness. In this case, it’s best to concentrate on making a full recovery to limit your time away from the lecture hall.

Whatever the reason, the reality of the situation is that skipping the occasional lecture is not the end of the world.

What should you do if you miss a lecture?

If you’re going to miss a lecture for a genuine reason like a hospital appointment or an important family engagement, as a courtesy you should email the lecturer to let them know. Your lecturer may be willing to meet up with you at a later date to discuss what you missed. There may also be notes uploaded onto your university Intranet.

Remember that most lecture notes will actually be very brief, and probably contain no more than a few points on each page. So if you expect to simply copy someone else’s notes, it could be that they make no sense to you. It’s then essential to talk to a fellow student who attended the lecture to fill in all the gaps. Find someone reliable to speak to, so that you can catch up quickly on what you missed.

You missed a number of classes and now you’re nervous about going back…

It’s easy to feel this way, but the longer you leave things, the harder it will get to return. The key is not to bury your head in the sand. Lecture halls can contain up to 200 students, so often your absence won’t have even been noticed. However, it is still polite to meet with the lecturer or tutor afterwards to explain why you have been away. If you have a genuine reason for your absence, they will point you towards materials you can use to catch up, and may even offer to give you a quick recap. The lecturer isn’t there to tell you off or to make you feel bad but to support your studies, so try not to worry about their reaction.

Essentially, these are YOUR studies and attendance is a key part in getting the most out of your degree, so if you feel your absence is affecting your academic progress, this is something you should discuss with a university academic advisor. They will do their best to provide the assistance you need and give you a realistic overview of the work you have missed.

Where else can I find help?

If you’re really struggling with essay writing due to your poor attendance at lectures, there is another resource you can turn to for the support you need. At Oxbridge Essays, we can create custom essays and study materials on any topic or subject, giving you the academic support you need to catch up. Contact our professional UK essay writers to find out more.