To cut or not to cut? That is the question university students encounter almost every day with factors ranging from peer pressure to temptation to downright indolence. Students are expected to attend their classes but sometimes they are tempted to skip out. But why? We asked: Have you ever thought of or actually cut classes? These students tell us.

“We’re actually cutting class right now. (laughs) [Our teacher’s way of teaching is ineffective because he just reads us the Powerpoint.” ~ Noriel, 18; Gail, 19

“May’g di ko madugmak ni mama!” (My mom would kill me!) ~ Rochelle, 16

“Yes, because I figured I already understand the topic.” ~ Christian, 17

“No! I love my course [accountancy].” ~ Karen, 19

“Yes. I sometimes lose the energy and motivation to go to class because the teachers are boring and it’s like they don’t know what they’re teaching.” ~ Elkrona, 18

“No, sayang ang tuition.” ~ Clifford, 17

“Yes, for personal reasons like to have enough sleep or for academic reasons like to study for a major exam.” ~ Schenitte, 19

“No. Sayang ang money nga gipaskwela sa akong parents.” (No. The money my parents spend on my schooling would be wasted.) ~ Petil, 18

“I’m living the college life… yes, I cut class because of body cravings like sleep.” ~ Khalil, 20

To “cut class” is a strong metaphor in itself, displaying a stark resistance to the necessary learning of an educational conversation that the student is walking away from. But in cases such as the ones mentioned, the act of intentionally missing a class could have been drawn from reasons of ineffective teaching, a reprimanding conscience, or set priorities.

Either way, college is a big responsibility that should not be taken for granted and to reiterate the oft-mentioned phrase by our national hero, the youth is the hope of our nation.