Against compulsion

From the beginning of this academic year I have been struggling with the following issue: compulsory attendance is required to pass the subject. I wouldn't like to resemble a rebel teenager who wants to skip classes and stay with friends smoking pot. As a twentyish person, I only ask the educational system to let me organise my time like I want to.

Aren't we mature enough to assume the consequences of our decisions? Why am I compelled to go to class or anywhere else even if I need that time for other purposes? Basic time management has been already learnt by every student who enters college and has procured the necessary education to reach this academic level. If they have not mastered this skill yet, sooner or later they will --It is a life lesson received in university: the responsability of your actions is yours and no others.

Therefore, I endorse the freedom of choice applied to class attendance. With this, I do not despise the importance of being present in class. I believe participation and active learning are the best methods to acquire academic knowledge, indeed. Nevertheless, it should be my own choice whether to participate or not, and no lecturer ought to demand forced listeners. If students are absent because the subject is not interesting enough nor well explained, I suggest the professors to be autocritical, also reinvent their teaching system, and leave their whips at home.


Exercise: Giving an opinion.