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Professor counted me absent

3,670 Views | 63 Replies | Last: 14 days ago by IIIHorn
cvenag03
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Need advice. Last week a professor counted me absent in an 8 am Friday lecture I attended. They record attendance by having students scan a QR code. During this particular lecture, part of the QR scan was a text box so we could answer a question the professor asked in class (basically a way for prof to tell if you are actually in class or trying to cheat the attendance checker). The night before this lecture I drank profusely and woke up still drunk. When it came time to scan the QR and answer the question all I could muster up into the text box was "happy Friday." Prof emailed me and said because I didn't answer the question that I "must not have actually been in class." They also took away my three unexcused absences for the semester. I've since set a time to meet and talk with this professor.

My question is: how do I explain to my professor that I was in fact present but genuinely could not comprehend much of anything being said in class at the time and in turn whiffed on the attendance question?

TLDR: woke up still drunk > failed to answer attendance question in class due to lingering stupor > marked as absent in a lecture I attended
Mega Lops
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Got it this is a tricky situation, but it's manageable if you approach it carefully. Here's a structured way to handle it with your professor:



1. Keep the focus on facts, not excuses
You were physically in class, and that's the key point.
Avoid explicitly saying "I was drunk" professors often respond better if the explanation is framed around genuine confusion, misunderstanding, or human error rather than alcohol.



2. Suggested way to phrase it

You can say something like:

"I want to clarify that I was in class on that Friday and scanned the QR code. I misunderstood or failed to properly complete the text portion of the QR, and as a result, it may not have reflected my attendance accurately. I understand this was my responsibility, and I sincerely apologize for the confusion. I hope we can adjust my attendance record to reflect that I was physically present in class."

This communicates:
You acknowledge the problem.
You take responsibility for not completing the attendance prompt properly.
You don't challenge the system or make excuses, which keeps it professional.



3. If asked for context
You can say: "I wasn't fully focused and misread the question." That's truthful, doesn't bring alcohol into the mix, and most professors understand that students sometimes aren't 100% mentally sharp.



4. Bring evidence (if possible)
If you have anything showing you were there a note from a classmate, a photo of the board, or work handed in that day bring it, but it's not strictly necessary. The main point is that you show accountability and professionalism.



5. Tone
Be polite, concise, and respectful.
Avoid sounding defensive or flippant.
Emphasize that you value the class and the attendance system.

Here's a concise, professional script you can follow when talking to your professor:



1. Start with appreciation / acknowledgment
"Thank you for taking the time to meet with me. I really value your class and the attendance system you've set up."



2. State the fact of your presence
"I want to clarify that I was physically present in class on Friday at 8 a.m. and scanned the QR code."



3. Acknowledge the issue with the text box
"However, I didn't properly complete the text portion of the QR code. I misread the question / wasn't fully focused at that moment, so my answer didn't reflect my actual attendance."



4. Take responsibility
"I understand that it was my responsibility to answer it correctly, and I apologize for the confusion this caused."



5. Ask politely for resolution
"I wanted to ask if it would be possible to adjust my attendance record to reflect that I was present."



6. Optional closing
"I'll make sure to be more careful with these prompts in the future so this doesn't happen again."



Key points to remember:
Keep it professional and factual no need to mention alcohol.
Focus on physical presence and misunderstanding rather than blaming the system.
Show accountability and a willingness to correct the mistake.

AggieArchitect04
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They take attendance in college?
I don't think that ever happened for me.
Principal Uncertainty
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cvenag03 said:

Need advice. Last week a professor counted me absent in an 8 am Friday lecture I attended. They record attendance by having students scan a QR code. During this particular lecture, part of the QR scan was a text box so we could answer a question the professor asked in class (basically a way for prof to tell if you are actually in class or trying to cheat the attendance checker). The night before this lecture I drank profusely and woke up still drunk. When it came time to scan the QR and answer the question all I could muster up into the text box was "happy Friday." Prof emailed me and said because I didn't answer the question that I "must not have actually been in class." They also took away my three unexcused absences for the semester. I've since set a time to meet and talk with this professor.

My question is: how do I explain to my professor that I was in fact present but genuinely could not comprehend much of anything being said in class at the time and in turn whiffed on the attendance question?

TLDR: woke up still drunk > failed to answer attendance question in class due to lingering stupor > marked as absent in a lecture I attended


First rule of effing up for being hung over is NOT to say you were hung over, but very sick (which is true). You were so sick you couldn't much pay attention in class.
Thunderstruck xx
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Does it affect your grade? If not, who the hell cares?
Thunderstruck xx
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Also, this professor sounds like they treat grown ass adults like children.
DannyDuberstein
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I have one kid that graduated last year and one that is now a fish. Some profs use attendance to grant a few extra points on the overall grade. Basically a little extra motivation to get them to class

In this case, you were sick. Make your play, don't be a ***** about it, and hope you get some grace. If you don't, move on
DannyDuberstein
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Also, try not being such a lightweight.

GAC06
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Professors that care about attendance aren't serious people. Can you master the material of their course? Can you do it without attending class? Turns out you didn't need the prof or the class.
maroon barchetta
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Have you considered being a responsible adult and not showing up for class still drunk?
713nervy
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AggieArchitect04 said:

They take attendance in college?
I don't think that ever happened for me.

It did at A&M between 2004-2008, at least.
713nervy
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maroon barchetta said:

Have you considered being a responsible adult and not showing up for class still drunk?

How does that help his current situation?
Tecolote
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Thunderstruck xx said:

Also, this professor sounds like they treat grown ass adults like children.

Well, OP behaved like a child and not a grown ass adult.
Tecolote
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cvenag03 said:

Need advice. Last week a professor counted me absent in an 8 am Friday lecture I attended. They record attendance by having students scan a QR code. During this particular lecture, part of the QR scan was a text box so we could answer a question the professor asked in class (basically a way for prof to tell if you are actually in class or trying to cheat the attendance checker). The night before this lecture I drank profusely and woke up still drunk. When it came time to scan the QR and answer the question all I could muster up into the text box was "happy Friday." Prof emailed me and said because I didn't answer the question that I "must not have actually been in class." They also took away my three unexcused absences for the semester. I've since set a time to meet and talk with this professor.

My question is: how do I explain to my professor that I was in fact present but genuinely could not comprehend much of anything being said in class at the time and in turn whiffed on the attendance question?

TLDR: woke up still drunk > failed to answer attendance question in class due to lingering stupor > marked as absent in a lecture I attended

Suck it up buttercup. You ****ed up. Be an adult and own it.
maroon barchetta
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713nervy said:

maroon barchetta said:

Have you considered being a responsible adult and not showing up for class still drunk?

How does that help his current situation?


It reminds him that he needs to be there and participate since his excused absences have been pulled.
NormanEH
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I can totally relate. I'm in my 40s and at least one a year I go to school and realize I'm pantsless (my son actually did this in kindergarten wearing a long Stars jersey and forgot pants.)

More commonly though I haven't been to school all semester and happen to show up for finals. Can't even remember where my locker is.
Bob Knights Liver
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I'd tell them I did actually attend, but admit you stayed out way too late and weren't capable of paying attention. You did want them to know that while you were not as responsible as you should have been, you would never try to cheat the attendance. Apologize and never do that **** again. Party your balls off on weekends or when you don't have to be up early.
Eliminatus
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This the best way for sure.

I never had any attendance classes but had several peers that did. The problem is lack of proof unless OP can pull camera footage which I highly doubt. It was common for someone to just collect several QR clickers and log in several people at once and swap out that person every class so people can skip regularly. Which is why they went to answering daily questions too.

Own up, placate, hope for the best. It's honestly fantastic practice and probably the best place/circumstances to learn it, OP.
Ryan the Temp
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GAC06 said:

Professors that care about attendance aren't serious people. Can you master the material of their course? Can you do it without attending class? Turns out you didn't need the prof or the class.

Professors are basically bound by circumstances quite a bit. Attendance is factored into participation, which is an exceedingly common component of student grades these days. It is a less-blatant form of grade inflation because professors can be penalized if too many of their students fail or get bad grades. Every single scholastic course I've taken for two degrees in the last five years included attendance as a graded component of the course.
TexasAggie81
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Mega Lops said:

Got it this is a tricky situation, but it's manageable if you approach it carefully. Here's a structured way to handle it with your professor:



1. Keep the focus on facts, not excuses
You were physically in class, and that's the key point.
Avoid explicitly saying "I was drunk" professors often respond better if the explanation is framed around genuine confusion, misunderstanding, or human error rather than alcohol.



2. Suggested way to phrase it

You can say something like:

"I want to clarify that I was in class on that Friday and scanned the QR code. I misunderstood or failed to properly complete the text portion of the QR, and as a result, it may not have reflected my attendance accurately. I understand this was my responsibility, and I sincerely apologize for the confusion. I hope we can adjust my attendance record to reflect that I was physically present in class."

This communicates:
You acknowledge the problem.
You take responsibility for not completing the attendance prompt properly.
You don't challenge the system or make excuses, which keeps it professional.



3. If asked for context
You can say: "I wasn't fully focused and misread the question." That's truthful, doesn't bring alcohol into the mix, and most professors understand that students sometimes aren't 100% mentally sharp.



4. Bring evidence (if possible)
If you have anything showing you were there a note from a classmate, a photo of the board, or work handed in that day bring it, but it's not strictly necessary. The main point is that you show accountability and professionalism.



5. Tone
Be polite, concise, and respectful.
Avoid sounding defensive or flippant.
Emphasize that you value the class and the attendance system.

Here's a concise, professional script you can follow when talking to your professor:



1. Start with appreciation / acknowledgment
"Thank you for taking the time to meet with me. I really value your class and the attendance system you've set up."



2. State the fact of your presence
"I want to clarify that I was physically present in class on Friday at 8 a.m. and scanned the QR code."



3. Acknowledge the issue with the text box
"However, I didn't properly complete the text portion of the QR code. I misread the question / wasn't fully focused at that moment, so my answer didn't reflect my actual attendance."



4. Take responsibility
"I understand that it was my responsibility to answer it correctly, and I apologize for the confusion this caused."



5. Ask politely for resolution
"I wanted to ask if it would be possible to adjust my attendance record to reflect that I was present."



6. Optional closing
"I'll make sure to be more careful with these prompts in the future so this doesn't happen again."



Key points to remember:
Keep it professional and factual no need to mention alcohol.
Focus on physical presence and misunderstanding rather than blaming the system.
Show accountability and a willingness to correct the mistake.




Nope. "I attended your class as required and out of respect for you in spite of the fact that I was not feeling well. You now have everything you need to make the proper adjustment to your attendance records. When should I expect that to happen?"
TexasAggie81
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cvenag03 said:

Need advice. Last week a professor counted me absent in an 8 am Friday lecture I attended. They record attendance by having students scan a QR code. During this particular lecture, part of the QR scan was a text box so we could answer a question the professor asked in class (basically a way for prof to tell if you are actually in class or trying to cheat the attendance checker). The night before this lecture I drank profusely and woke up still drunk. When it came time to scan the QR and answer the question all I could muster up into the text box was "happy Friday." Prof emailed me and said because I didn't answer the question that I "must not have actually been in class." They also took away my three unexcused absences for the semester. I've since set a time to meet and talk with this professor.

My question is: how do I explain to my professor that I was in fact present but genuinely could not comprehend much of anything being said in class at the time and in turn whiffed on the attendance question?

TLDR: woke up still drunk > failed to answer attendance question in class due to lingering stupor > marked as absent in a lecture I attended


Based upon what OP posted and how others have responded, I (as a former professor of 20+ years) see a huge problem: lecturing. If a professor doesn't engage students in other ways than "lecturing" (rather than fostering REAL dialogue and class discussion) and checking in-class online "attendance" boxes, he/she is a failure. Students would much rather be talked WITH than AT. Methinks this kind of crap is happening far too often.
TexasAggie81
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DannyDuberstein said:

I have one kid that graduated last year and one that is now a fish. Some profs use attendance to grant a few extra points on the overall grade. Basically a little extra motivation to get them to class

In this case, you were sick. Make your play, don't be a ***** about it, and hope you get some grace. If you don't, move on


Former professor here. I never rewarded students for doing something that they were already supposed to do. However, and correct me if I am wrong, in most colleges and universities, a student may be administratively dropped from a class if he or she is absent from the class and equivalent of two weeks. In most cases, this amount to four class periods. The thought of being administratively dropped for lack of attendance, seemed to be a very nice deterrent for excessive absences. Also, I may occasionally have given pop quizzes at the very beginning of class to encourage TIMELY attendance. This served as a life lesson that showing up on time for class or work is meaningful.
RikkiTikkaTagem
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As an engineering major, my professors would never take attendance. They assumed if you wanted to make a good grade you'd show up. If you didn't show up, they didn't assume anything. They wouldn't waste the brain power thinking about it.

I did have one prof say something along the lines of:
"Regarding attendance, you are, of course, encouraged to come to class. If you don't attend, I'll probably see you again next semester when you fail, or never again when you transfer to the b-school. Your choice. Don't really care."
IIIHorn
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Explain to the professor that you commonly answer questions erroneously.

As proof, have him review your past test scores.



In all seriousness, I hope you get this resolved.
JamesPShelley
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cvenag03 said:

Need advice. Last week a professor counted me absent in an 8 am Friday lecture I attended. They record attendance by having students scan a QR code. During this particular lecture, part of the QR scan was a text box so we could answer a question the professor asked in class (basically a way for prof to tell if you are actually in class or trying to cheat the attendance checker). The night before this lecture I drank profusely and woke up still drunk. When it came time to scan the QR and answer the question all I could muster up into the text box was "happy Friday." Prof emailed me and said because I didn't answer the question that I "must not have actually been in class." They also took away my three unexcused absences for the semester. I've since set a time to meet and talk with this professor.

My question is: how do I explain to my professor that I was in fact present but genuinely could not comprehend much of anything being said in class at the time and in turn whiffed on the attendance question?

TLDR: woke up still drunk > failed to answer attendance question in class due to lingering stupor > marked as absent in a lecture I attended

All good until the begged question: Why the "Happy Friday" comment. It makes the rest of the excuse sound like corporate-speak bull*****

Man up. Tell the truth.
Mr. Thunderclap McGirthy
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1st step is to admit you are powerless over alcohol.

There are 11 more steps but I forgot. I'm still hungover myself.
King of the Dairy Queen
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never understood why they want you in class if you make the grade. probably have a foreign GA no one can understand lecturing anyway. When will they realize they work in a credential checking box factory and not actually in education?

Quote:

When it came time to scan the QR and answer the question all I could muster up into the text box was "happy Friday."

rednecked
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NormanEH said:

I can totally relate. I'm in my 40s and at least one a year I go to school and realize I'm pantsless (my son actually did this in kindergarten wearing a long Stars jersey and forgot pants.)

More commonly though I haven't been to school all semester and happen to show up for finals. Can't even remember where my locker is.

I think at some point that actually ends. I'm 59 and haven't had that dream in several years.
KALALL
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The obvious answer is to Q drop this course and don't register for an 8:00 a.m. on a Friday. That was your real mistake.
Scotts Tot
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While I think OP should grow up and handle this like the adult he has apparently yet to become, I also have a fundamental objection to the premise of required attendance at a university.

If you or your parent are paying for you to attend, it should be your right to realize the benefit of your investment at whatever level you choose. If you squander the investment due to lack of engagement and poor decision-making, that's within your right. The professor is there to teach. That's what they are paid to do. Mandating attendance should be outside their purview.
713nervy
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I don't know why you guys are giving this kid such a hard time. He's 18-22 years old, in college, and went and got drunk on a Thursday with his friends. HOW DARE HE?! For Gods sakes, he still showed up to his 8:00 AM! That's impressive!

And, he's trying to find the best way to approach his prof so he's asking a group of adults from the internet for some advice. He's asking for help, something more of us would do better in life if we knew how to do.

I don't know why you all are holding him to the standard of a grown man with a full time job.

I like this kid.
King of the Dairy Queen
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713nervy said:

I don't know why you guys are giving this kid such a hard time. He's 18-22 years old, in college, and went and got drunk on a Thursday with his friends. HOW DARE HE?! For Gods sakes, he still showed up to his 8:00 AM! That's impressive!

And, he's trying to find the best way to approach his prof so he's asking a group of adults from the internet for some advice. He's asking for help, something more of us would do better in life if we knew how to do.

I don't know why you all are holding him to the standard of a grown man with a full time job.

I like this kid.

i didnt go to my fair share of classes and I was dropped from a class at blinn for non attendance (even though i was getting A).I think part of his problem is that his story is really bad. He couldn't answer the easy question to verify attendance, he could only write happy friday? That makes no sense.

Honestly, just speak to your professor and tell him you were there and it wont happen again. Also, its like the first or second week of classes and your story sounds like a lie, the truth of the matter doesnt actually matter.
AggieArchitect04
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Actual story of how the architecture school handled attendance and work effort:

I think I was a sophmore. I was in a studio which is a lot of credit hours...some were 6 if I remember correctly.

We had an assignment for some kinda of design or artwork. I don't remember specifics. Studio classes are relatively small; probably no more than 20 students and often less. So you can't "hide" and disappear in the crowd...there's a lot of visibility on how much you are there.

My professor for this studio was a bit strange. His name was Ray Mullican. He was in his 50s and he would show up in jeans, flip flops, and a purple fleece pullover almost every single day. He was very eccentric but mostly a good guy - although I was frustrated he gave me a B. I completed all assignments, but architecture is highly subjective so it's easy to get screwed over on grades. Architecture students are notorious for spending long hours at studio. You are expected to be present, not just at class time, but outside of class hours as well. And studio professors would occasionally show up to see who was there working. Again, with small class sizes, its very easy to see who is and isn't there or pulling their weight. I would say it was very similar to a part-time job (which I also had).

We had a corps cadet in our studio and we never saw a lot of him. I will say that almost all corps cadets that I met changed majors after a few semesters in architecture school and were not seen a lot at Langford. Perhaps moreso in the Construction Science program.

We show up one morning for our studio class time and our presentations are due - it is a pin-up/crit day. Our professor arrives with a bag full of change. Like a lot of change. And he's just walking around with it. This unusual and no one knows what the hell is going on. A few people present their work, everything is normal. The cadet gets up to present. His project/presentation was pretty mediocre but not terrible. It was clear he hadn't spent the time, effort, or attention that other classmates did.

After the presentation, the professor says he would like to purchase the project and asked what value the cadet would put on it. He said something small...like $2-$3. So the prof counts out change and pays him. He takes the drawings and collects them all together, and says, "So these are mine now? These are my property?" Cadet nods confirming.

The prof immediately tears the drawings in half. The entire class was staring mouths agape as the prof went off on how insulting it was to show up with what he had when everyone else had spent many hours working. He criticized him for not showing up for class time OR an extra effort outside of classtime. I felt bad for the guy, but it was a little validating because everyone else had worked pretty hard.

I never saw the cadet after that semester.

TLDR: Cadet doesn't attend class, shows up with mediocre work, prof tears it up in front of entire class.
maroon barchetta
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713nervy said:

I don't know why you guys are giving this kid such a hard time. He's 18-22 years old, in college, and went and got drunk on a Thursday with his friends. HOW DARE HE?! For Gods sakes, he still showed up to his 8:00 AM! That's impressive!

And, he's trying to find the best way to approach his prof so he's asking a group of adults from the internet for some advice. He's asking for help, something more of us would do better in life if we knew how to do.

I don't know why you all are holding him to the standard of a grown man with a full time job.

I like this kid.


His job is to attend college.
cvenag03
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AG
It's easier to jump to conclusions and **** on someone for a lot of these folks it seems.
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