Is college attendance always mandatory?

I'm curious about how college classes work in terms of attendance. Are there situations where attendance isn't mandatory, or do most schools have strict policies? How flexible are professors with this?

The protocol towards class attendance can vary significantly from college to college and from course to course. It is usually up to the individual professors to establish the attendance policy for their classes. While some professors may place a heavy emphasis on attendance, others may not require it at all.

In large lecture courses, for instance, professors often don't take attendance because of the sheer number of students. In these situations, it's common for professors to post lecture notes or recordings online, making it possible for students to catch up on material they might miss.

Alternatively, smaller seminar or discussion-based classes typically have stricter attendance policies. Because these classes often involve group work or participation-based grading, your presence and active involvement in discussions can significantly affect your grade. If you can't make it to a session because of a legitimate reason such as illness, professors may be understanding, but it's crucial to communicate with them about your circumstance.

Overall, college offers more flexibility regarding attendance compared to high school. But regardless of the attendance policy, consistent attendance is usually beneficial for your academic success. Professors often share important insights not found in the reading material during lectures, and being present can also demonstrate your commitment to the class and create opportunities for direct engagement with the material and your peers.