One of the most important factors affecting skipping classes in college is how much importance a student places on class attendance. If a student feels that coming to class isn't that important, she is more likely to skip. A student may not feel attendance is important because the class is a lecture or the professor doesn't have a mandatory attendance policy.
Another factor that affects how much a student attends a college class is the student's attitude toward the class in general. Studies have shown that if a student feels the class won't help him in his college career or job after college, he will be likely to have lower attendance rates.
Alcohol consumption is a major factor affecting skipping classes in college. This can be caused by a student staying up late drinking or drinking enough to have a hangover. Peer pressure to drink can also negatively impact a student's attendance rate in college classes.
Skipping class can negatively affects academic performance, but a student's GPA can also affect how often she skips class. Students with higher GPAs are less likely to skip class, even if they don't like the class. The time a student spends studying for a class will also affect whether or not they miss class because students who don't study for a class are more likely to skip.
Unfortunately, many factors affecting student attendance in college are not under the professor's control. Many students will skip classes even if there is a compulsory attendance policy and even if their attendance will directly affect their grade in the class. Professors can, however, encourage a positive attitude in students toward attending class, and students will be less likely to skip classes.
Some students simply skip classes because they need to sleep. Exhaustion and disrupted sleep patterns are common on college campuses because of late-night study sessions or social events, and this can lead to skipping classes for many students.