JUST SUCK IT UP. Semester’s end shows attendance decline. Perhaps, dear administrators, we have "retention" problems because we're not screening for the wrong mind-set.

As the semester comes to a close, more NIU students are skipping class.

The reason behind the decline in attendance could be attributed to students trying to finish their assignments, said Elizabeth Miller, NIU associate professor of family and child studies.

Freshmen tend to be discouraged from showing up to class because of the cold weather, Miller said. Senior and graduate students tend to show up no matter what the weather.

Freshman marketing major Harriet Garris has been in trouble for skipping class.

The money grafs appear toward the end of the article. Life after college is the revenge of the nerds.

Jenny Challand, a senior elementary education major, said she does not skip class because of the cold weather. Most of Challand’s friends, who are in the honors program, would never skip either, she said.

Overall, students get lazy when it comes to the mix of cold weather and classes, Challand said.

Treat those honor students well, slackers, you'll be working for them ... or preparing their coffee ... later.