Every student faces a hard decision in the morning: “do I want to make the trek to class?” As you groggily get out of bed and try to get ready, those dark inner thoughts transform into frantic problem-solving. Just watch the lecture on Panopto in the afternoon. Ask Jack for the attendance, it’s the least a best friend could do. Get breakfast first and show up late — you don’t want to be hangry AND bored.

But sometimes, we don’t really need solutions. Especially this late into the semester, where every day feels like the longest 24 hours ever. What you, my dear reader, need is someone to cheer you on, so here are some completely valid reasons to not show up to that 9 a.m. (or that 12:00 p.m — no judgment!).

1. The UV Index was 5

Now, we are off to a strong start. As a responsible adult, you understand the importance of Vitamin D. According to Google (a trusted medical source), Vitamin D is essential for mental health and mood regulation. See mom, skipping class to sit outside is not avoidance — it is a way to take care of your health. Honestly, it sounds irresponsible to go to class in the first place. Let’s be honest - there are only so many sunny days in Cambridge. Missing one day of glorious weather? That’s just poor decision-making. I know Furman and Laibson taught you all better than that…

2. Got Stuck in the HUDS Waffle Line

You made it out of bed and to the dining hall. That is already a big step. You were ready and motivated, but then… saw the waffle line. At that point, you had two options: go to class or get the Veritaffle. It would be a dishonor as a Harvard student to skip out on the waffle, so of course, you had to commit to it. C’mon, you only get a couple hundred of those in your lifetime.

3. Professor Records Lecture

Look, if a professor is recording a lecture, attendance suddenly becomes a suggestion. If you can watch it at 2x speed, you are actually saving time. Not only is your decision valid, it is also responsible and efficient. You are a college student practicing time management. In fact, you can even argue that attending live is less efficient. Why spend 75 minutes when you could spend 35 and still mostly understand everything (or at least gaslight yourself into thinking you do)?

4. It was just “one of those mornings.”

Do I really need to say anything else? You know these mornings. Your alarm went off, and instead of waking up, your body entered fight-or-flight mode… and chose flight.

You checked the time, did some mental math, and realized that if you left now, you’d only be slightly late. But… if you’re going to be late, then why show up at all? Every This morning, your body said “no thanks” to class.

5. The walk to class was too much

New England weather. Nuff said. Let’s set the scene. Half the time when you walk to class, it’s nice and sunny. Seventy-five minutes later, you are ready to leave and suddenly it is raining or snowing (yes, snow — at any time of the year). By the time you consider the trek from your dorm to the Science Center (or worse…the SEC), you realize that this is not a commute to class. This is a sport. You check the weather app one last time, but it somehow makes things worse — 40 degrees but feels like 28, wind gusts at 20 mph, and a 60% chance of rain. You choose survival, who can blame you?!

At the end of the day, attendance is just one part of college. It might be 25% of your grade, but still. You show up in other ways for yourself and those around you by putting your mental health first. So, the next time you consider skipping class, remember that you are not falling behind. You are making informed, responsible life decisions! #yougogirl #gogetthatVeritaffle.