How Do I Get My Students To Come To Class On Time?

Dear Dr. Kirk:

I'm having trouble getting some of my students to come to class on time.  I have a policy on this in my syllabus but it doesn't seem to matter.  Any suggestions?   

...Professor with High Expectations

Dear Professor Expectations:

The first step is to inform your students about your policy on coming to class on time. Explain to the students that they will be required to go to work every day and on time when they get into the workforce and that you are helping them role model these behaviors.  Also, note that coming in tardy is disruptive to the other students and disrepectful to you.  Keep in mind that they may not remember the syllabus policy so remind them of your expectations.

However, just as managers can't make their employees do anything in the workplace, you cannot make the students come to class on time. But you can set consequences and enforce these;  be sure to be consistent in applying the rules.  Pull any tardy student aside after class and ask the student if he or she knows what the policy is on tardiness. Remind the student that coming to class on time is part of the requirements of the class.  If students come in late and you don't address the issue either immediately or after class, you have essentially said the tardiness is ok.  If you don’t handle this issue, you will find other students will begin to come in tardy also.

Here is a script to use in talking to that student who comes to class late. Also, in my book on Taking Back the Classroom:  Tips for the College Professor on Becoming a More Effective Teacher, I discuss additional suggestions to use so that the behavior you get in the classroom is the behavior you want. 

Good luck in taking back your classroom!   

Dr. Kirk

Comments

[Lisa M Lane]

Another perspective.

This is a larger issue of behavioral expectation and rules. I have decided that as a college instructor this is not my problem unless it is truly disruptive, and I think a lot less is disruptive now than I used to!

I used to have many rules and spent much time explaining. It took my time and stressed me out to deal with them being late, missing class, etc. What were my rules for? to make ME crazy? Talking to them individually led to excuses. I felt like Miss Manners. Extra teaching, in a field that isn't mine.

The students who won't come on time simply will not. I have decided to let that be. Their loss. I removed the note from my syllabus, and all consequences. I don't mention it unless they ask, and when they ask I talk about expectations, never rules.

No more students are late than before. It's the same percentage (I've been doing this 21 years), and the same students -- a few coming in late doesn't make others come in late so long as I start on time.

Less stress, fewer rules, no snowballing, students who feel I respect them enough not to need so many rules. I'm good.

[Dr. Delaney Kirk]

Thanks for sharing, Lisa. I do go back and forth between "we should role model appropriate behavior for workplace" to "they are adults and should take the consequences such as missing part of lecture/class activities if do not come on time."