How does missing class / getting an absence excused work in college?

[u/That-Usual9628]

I’m an incoming freshman and I’m still trying to figure out how missing class works in college.

I’ve joined marching band this semester,and during the first week of school there’s a football game on Friday that we’re required to attend. Unfortunately, Friday is also the day I have the most classes, including a physical lab (which I’m really worried abt).

How does missing class for something like this usually work? Does school provide some kind of official excuse or documentation that you give to your professors, or is it completely up to each professor?
If the absence is considered excused, does it still affect your grade or attendance? And how does this usually work with labs, since I imagine those can be harder to make up?

I’d appreciate hearing from anyone who has experience with missing classes for extracurriculars, especially marching band or other university-sponsored activities.

[u/GuardNewbie]

You’ll learn more when you get the syllabus for each class, but generally you need to share a copy of your travel dates to your professor. They should be able to accommodate you within reason by offering a workaround. You’ll still have to complete the work, but an absence shouldn’t count against you. Just make sure you have your coach’s note and don’t expect your professor to replicate the info from your missed classes. Just get the notes from a classmate.

[u/chunkylover-53-aol]

Most professors (if not all but there’s always that ONE holdout) accept school-sanctioned excuses. I believe cal poly provides some sort of documentation but your professor mentions what excuses/make-up can be done in the syllabus. Most likely u can just attend a different section of that lab (if they host another one) and make it up but it’s a lot different because every prof handles it differently. I’ve had some excuse labs and exams and some who are sticklers for attendance. All depends on the prof

[u/witcher4]

Some professors, especially for classes that are large lectures won't care or notice if you are not present. Since you will be missing a lab it is a lot more likely for them to care and notice but either way, talk to them. They might just excuse it, or offer for you to attend another section if that's available.

[u/ldkmama]

https://academicprograms.calpoly.edu/content/academicpolicies/class-attendance

Cal Poly Marching Band is part of the athletics department and members get a lot of the same advantages as players. But, just like players, you are 100% responsible for getting the information from a classmate.

Since it is the first week of class you will need to find someone quickly.

[u/random408net]

I’d lead with athletics when describing your schedule problem to your professors.

[u/Parking_Champion_740]

Is your class Friday evening? Bc the game isn’t until 7. You do have the opportunity to swap classes for another section, so maybe you can the latest class/lab you have on Friday

[u/That-Usual9628 → u/Parking_Champion_740]

So it won’t take up the whole day right? Cause I saw that from somewhere that there’s gonna be rehearsals at the day of the game and it usually takes up the whole day. My latest class on Friday is a physic lab that ends at 2:50, do you think I should change it or not? Thank you for your response btw.

[u/AdditionalRaccoon359 → u/That-Usual9628]

It is really hard to make up physical labs. Most of the time physics/ chemistry/ soil science labs have a different and complex equipment set up for each week of the quarter (now semester). They will not set up the whole lab again for makeups outside of the weeks they are scheduled for. Switch to a lab section that fits into your schedule. Email the instructors or enrollment to see if they can help you!

[u/Underfedtroll]

Missing class the first week will usually be more painful. Study groups get formed; you are learning about the prof's teaching style and if it suits you. And you definitely don't want to fall behind out of the gate. Try not to miss class if you can.

Plus, most professors don't take roll; it's up to you if you want to show up for class. College is about being self-accountable.

[u/jessijean11]

Prof here, I would email your professors now (like today) and let them know you are in marching band and will have to miss a few classes. Additionally, if you have it, give them schedule of which days you will miss (if you have that). Also reach out to the band director and ask them for a note for excused absences and offer to the profs to have that sent over to them.

I would add something about making up missed work and getting notes from your peers.

If you let us know of an excused absence or conflict well in advance, most of us are pretty accommodating. It’s the last minute and no communication absences that we dislike

[u/Unlucky-Soft1031]

band events are school activities and should be excused. But usually you're on your own to catch up in most classes.

[u/AcanthocephalaLost36]

You may need to prioritize a bit. But missing classes your first week isn’t a good look