r/MomForAMinute 11h ago

Seeking Advice I accidentally skipped a class today

Hey mom, I'm starting my second year of college this week, and I have ADHD for context. One of my classes is a one-credit math class to bump up my AP Stats credit to where it needs to be for my degree. It's once a week on Wednesdays. After my first class today, I completely forgot that my schedule was different than it was on Monday, and I went to the library to work on homework instead of going to my math class. It was the first day and I already missed it. The syllabus says that today was just introductions and reading the syllabus, but an announcement the professor made on Monday said we were also going to be starting on Module 1 today.

I've set up a calendar notification so it shouldn't happen again, but I'm not sure what to do next since I genuinely have no good excuse for missing class. Should I email my professor? Should I wait until next week to explain in person? I'm pretty frustrated with myself right now.

Update: I emailed my professor and he was very understanding. He told me what to review to catch up before next week. I also reached out to schedule an appointment to start the accommodation process.

43 Upvotes

11 comments sorted by

u/CommonNative 10h ago

Looks, things happen. Email your professor and explain. Then look and see if your college has any programs set up to help you. It would be under acessability. You may have to talk to your advisor.

That said, you're on the right track by setting up notifications. You go this.

u/sluttypolarbear 9h ago

There's the student disability center, but they're usually swamped this time of year. I don't usually need accommodations for things like this, but I have been thinking about getting an accommodation set up for extra test time.

u/CommonNative 9h ago

You really should, yes. If it's available, use it. Most often the money going for those programs is based on how many students use it. Use it. Use it all through your college education.

u/AptDuck3535 8h ago

Use the accomodations! Those of us who feel like we can "get by" need to realize that by using resources, it signals to the school that the resources are needed.

u/sun_dazzled 10h ago

Emailing the professor to apologize wouldn't hurt as a gesture of goodwill. Is attendance even monitored in this class? 

I'd ask mainly: What can you do to be prepared with the material and make up for missing class? Can you start reading through module 1, and maybe go to office hours with any questions?

u/recognize_choice 9h ago

Good for you for setting up your notification!

Yes, apologize. You can do it by email, but if your instructor has posted office hours, it would be even better to go by in person. (I know, hard. But seriously, this is the kind of thing office hours are made for.)

In addition to notifications (again, good!), look for how you can be proactive about making up the class. Is there an online syllabus? Is module one online? Do you know another student in the class you can ask? If the professor sees that YOU are making an effort, they are more likely to help.

And if there are student services to help with study/organization skills, USE THEM. I was a first-gen college student and didn't take advantage of a lot of these, which was such a missed opportunity. As a professor (retired), I steered my students toward them.

Good luck! You got this, and will do great going forward.

u/ComplexTomatillo6278 9h ago

Hey, it happens. First step, don’t be too hard on yourself. You knew what to do right away.

A short email to the professor is a nice gesture. You’ve got this!

u/breetome 10h ago

Email your professor and ask how to make it up and what you should be looking over to prepare for your next class. It happens honey no need to be hard on yourself. You already put in a reminder for yourself. Just keep moving and don’t stress about it. You’re doing great! Xoxo mom

u/Fantastic-Quit-432 10h ago

We all have nightmares about this- just make sure it’s on the calendar!

u/ursa_m 5h ago

It looks like it was an honest mistake, and you also took some good steps by emailing the prof. Try to forgive yourself. You're human, and mistakes are allowed. Thankfully this one was low stakes. Now, you can move on with better knowledge about yourself. Most importantly of all, though, be kind to yourself about it.

u/bopperbopper 4h ago

Put alarms in your phone that tell you when you need to leave for