Sick Day/Day-Off Checklist

By: Jordan Bucknor ‘22

Being perfectly honest, I was never one of those people who got perfect attendance. I just couldn’t do it. At some point during the year, I’m either going to come down with something or just completely burn myself out. I’m a believer in breaks sometimes being necessary and that there is nothing wrong with them, but as college students, we do have responsibilities and we can’t just throw them to the wind at every whim. So, before you go ahead and skip that 9AM lecture because you’re feeling a bit off, run through this list and make sure you have all your pieces in place. 

1. Review your current due dates!

• Do you have any projects due on the day you plan on missing?

• Do you have work partners that would be affected by your absence?

• Do you have any tests taking place?

• Any in-person homework due?

• Does any work need to be submitted online or through email?

Depending on your professor or TA, it may not be a big deal to turn in things a day late and if you’re able to turn something in online then it’s even better, but if you’re in a situation where an in-person due date absolutely cannot be missed, you might be in a bit of a pickle. 

2. Review the absence policy on the syllabus!

• Does the class grant you a certain number of unexcused absences?

• Does your professor/TA expect you to contact them before you are absent? Afterwards? How soon should you contact them? 24 Hours?

• Do they expect a doctor’s note? Can you get one?

Make sure you know the rules of the game! Don’t get caught off guard due to a lack of information. Even if you do not necessarily have to email your professors or TA, in a small class, it is still doesn’t hurt to let them know. Better safe than sorry!

3. Check your track record!

• Do you have a history of skipping this particular class?

• How many other day-off’s have you taken?

• Do you communicate a lot with the Professor? 

• Do you participate a lot in class?

Yeah, this is going to take a little bit of self-reflection and that’s not always fun — but it is necessary. Frankly, if you have a history of being punctual and active in class, your absence will be seen as less serious compared to someone who skips class frequently and does not participate. This is not to say that if you have skipped class before you cannot do it again, but just be aware of how you will be perceived.

4. Consider what you will be missing.

• Do you know if a new concept will be introduced on the day you plan on missing? Will you be able to catch up on it without formal instruction?

• Will it be a review day? Are you currently comfortable with the material?

• Does the professor post their powerpoint slides? Do you have a friend in class that can share their notes with you and will you have time to review those notes before the next class?

If you feel confident that you will be able to learn whatever possible content you might miss by taking a day to yourself, then hey, you’re good! If not, don’t fret! Office hours are always an option.

5. Check what is due the next day.

• Is all of your work that is due the next day already completed?

• If not, will you have time to complete everything tomorrow? Will you have to find time to work during the day?

• Will your professor/TA give you an extra day to make up the work?

I know that the whole reason for taking a day off is to not think about work, but as a college student, you kind of have to — even just a little bit.

6. Finally, once everything is planned out, rest!

I know that this is a lot to think about when you’re tired and exhausted and just want to rest, but you have to think about it at some point. Honestly, just taking thirty minutes to get these things settled will save you so much time in the long run. It is better to deal with all of this while you’re still ahead of the game, rather than desperately emailing your professors afterward to try and catch up. 

With an actual plan in place to take care of your missed work, you won’t have that nagging, whispering voice in the back of your head while you’re trying to relax. Now, you can actually rest in peace and be ready to tackle the rest of the semester in perfect health.

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