What do you do when you're absent

Most students gets sick or need absences and that's ok…but absences do not excuse you from college work that is due or being prepared for the next class. If you show a sincere effort to communicate and do the work when you are absent, most teachers will not consider the absence a large problem. However, if you must neglect your work due to absence or absences, you should avoid being "a disappearing act" and confront your problems with your professor. Here are four easy tips to help you avoid learning problems due to occasional absences.

• If you know in advance that you will miss a class, discuss the absence with your professor to try to stay current with the work you will miss.

• Before you are absent, establish a "buddy" in class who you can call or visit to find out what you missed. Good buddies should collect any handouts for you and have a good sense of the assignments. If the person you select as a buddy is not helpful, find another buddy in class. If you need help, ask your teacher to team you up with another student.

• Check the course plans to anticipate how to prepare for the next class.

• If you have not been able to anticipate your absence, visit, call or email your professor during office hours to get "catch up help" and any handouts you may have missed.