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Going to university is a cherished goal for many students around the world. Many parents dream of their children having the opportunity to receive a university education as a gateway to a successful future. Although it is possible to earn a degree without attending classes, in my view, attendance plays a critical role in the university experience. The reasons for this view are academic, social, and intellectual.
From an academic standpoint, attending classes enables students to learn more. After all, professors do not simply repeat what is written in university textbooks; they enrich this knowledge with their own professional experience, reading, and research. This gives students the opportunity to gain key perspectives, as well as relevant, up-to-date information in their specialized fields. Since acquiring knowledge and developing critical-thinking skills are important goals of higher education, class attendance should be a mandatory requirement for graduation.
Socially, university life offers young people the opportunity to form meaningful friendships, relationships, and connections, some of which last a lifetime. Students can make good friends or even meet a future life partner while at college or university. In addition, their classmates may become the movers and shakers of tomorrow’s corporations and industries. These important contacts can also be made while attending classes, studying, and socializing together.
Lastly, from an intellectual perspective, students can gain a great deal by matching wits with other bright students from around the world. In class, students can discuss issues, exchange views, explore ideas, solve problems, and develop cross-cultural skills through interaction with international students. This can be a critical experience that helps students define themselves and their political and ideological place in the world.
In summary, attending university classes benefits students in myriad ways. Broadly speaking, it enables them to make the most of their years at university. Therefore, attendance should be regarded as a desirable and meaningful means of achieving various important life goals.
Learn from the essay
Key language and writing lessons from this essay.
Use natural word combinations
Some words commonly occur together. Learning these combinations can make academic writing sound more natural.
Signal the perspective or reason
Expressions such as “From an academic standpoint” introduce a particular perspective, while “After all” introduces supporting reasoning.
Describe influence
“Mover and shaker” refers to someone who has influence and helps shape events or decisions.
Use “match wits with”
This expression means to engage mentally or compete intellectually with another person.
Develop distinct reasons
The essay supports its position through separate academic, social, and intellectual reasons, then restates the overall value of class attendance in the conclusion.
Test Yourself
Check your understanding of the essay and its language.
Practice
Apply what you learned in your own writing.
Write a short paragraph explaining one academic benefit of attending university classes. Use at least one specific detail from the essay.
Write two original sentences using “plays a critical role in” and “Broadly speaking.”
Plan a response to the question of whether university attendance should be compulsory. State your position and list one academic, social, or intellectual reason from the essay to support it.