How does one go about shirking work?

[rinnia]

I come from Caltech, the land of "They don't take attendance - just get someone else to turn in your set for you and you're good," so I'm not sure how this stuff works in reasonable places and with grad students. But. What's the standard policy for missing class? How much advance notice do you give? Is it totally unreasonable to want to take three days off (not now, obviously, but about seven months from now) to go to a crazy awesome convention? Actually, looking at flight possibilities again, it would only be two days - the Friday and Monday surrounding a weekend. Is that a completely boneheaded thing to want, or am I entitled to a bit of personal indulgence? Augh, the conscience! It weighs!

Comments

[mummimamma.livejournal.com]

Don't you usually have a limit on how many classes you can miss, even of the ones with mandatory attendance? Or do you have to be on the brink of the grave to skip? I admit that we occasionally enjoy making fun of the feeble excuses some students come up with to get out of class (Dead grandmothers and suchlike). Personally I think it is better to be up front: Sorry I will be away for so and so long, so I need to know what I will have to learn, and any assignments I need to hand in. Most teachers I know are all right with that. And the better your grade, the better your chances for the teachers blessing (as an incentive to get more As)

You sound like the sort of teacher I'd get along with.
Thank you!

[rinnia.livejournal.com]

There is typically a limit, yes. I'm just... a really, really honest person. I hate breaking rules, so if I'm not actually incapacitated in some way, I tend to go to class. I used to be really bad about perceived slacking when it comes to scholastic responsibilities, actually, to the point of sickening guilt if I needed an extension, until some of my college friends convinced me that driving yourself to unhappiness is far worse than needing an extra two days on a set. Hence my questioning now - I'm honestly insecure about taking any time off for something that's not essential, but at the same time, I'd really like to, you know, have a life outside of school and research. I think if this plan actually comes through, I'll do what you said and tell my teachers up front that I'll be absent and need to know what to do so I don't miss more than is necessary.

Thanks again! Now I'm off to read that link about excuses. XD

Aaaaand edited for typos. Sigh.