There are some days that you just wake up at 8:45, have a 9:05 class, and just don’t feel like going to class. We all have those days. I have those days every day. The question is, how do you know which classes to skip and which to suck it up and attend? Follow Noah’s simple point system for skipping class and you’ll be a regular Ferris Bueller (and still get good grades) in no time. Start at 0 points:

• If a class takes attendance/has a participation aspect of the grade, subtract 3 points. It’s easy to skip class, but to skip class AND not have it negatively affect your grade takes skill.
• If a teacher puts his/her lecture notes online, add 5 points. This has been a rule I’ve been following in excess this year. Lots of teachers don’t really add anything substantial in their lectures, so you can learn just as much reading the notes online.
• Make sure nothing’s due that day. If there is, subtract 10 points. It’s really not worth actually having to go talk to your teacher and beg for them to accept your homework/paper/whatever (if you REALLY don’t feel like sitting in class, go to class just in time for the last 5 minutes and turn in your assignment).
• If you know someone else in the class, add 5 points. Having someone through whom you can live vicariously and get the notes/assignments/announcements is just as good as going to class.
• Look at a campus map. Add one point for each grid square between you and your class.

How’d you do? In the negative numbers? Don’t risk it. Right around 0? Flip a coin, let fate decide. Positive numbers? Go for it, champ! The world is your oyster, go shuck it. Or just hit snooze and go back to sleep.

A final caveat: Your mileage may vary. Every professor is different, so get to know the class before playing with fate. Onward State is not liable for any bad grades.