When my parents told me they wanted me to attend a community college, I wasn’t happy. I was 18 and had just graduated from high school. Going back to school sounded awful.

So I didn’t show up for the first day of classes. And during the semester, I made excuses not to go to school. “Oh no, I feel a headache coming on,” I’d tell myself. Or, “It’s raining out, and my car won’t do well in the rain, so maybe I shouldn’t risk it.”

I missed a lot of school.

Even though I didn’t fail my classes, I also didn’t make any friends. I had no relationships with my professors. My class participation grade went right down the drain.

I soon learned I wasn’t getting the most out of my classes. Not only that, I was letting my classmates down.

A lot of students think missing the first day of school is OK. The fact is, students who attend the first day of class are more likely to finish and pass their classes than those who skip it.

But that’s not the only reason I changed my ways and started attending every class, every week.

I like getting to know my classmates during discussions and activities. I like getting to know my professors so they will offer me guidance throughout the semester.

I know life happens, and there will be times when you will have to miss a class, but don’t let it become a habit. Deciding to miss class because it’s raining outside or because you had a little too much fun at your friend’s house over the weekend is not a good reason to show a lack of responsibility.

Veronica Somers is a first-year communications student who is Campus Current’s advertising manager.