It’s really tempting to extend your mid-year break for an extra week to avoid having to turn up to the first week of lectures. And obviously you don’t have to justify your decision to us!

Self-care is important, but just in case your friends and family aren’t buying it, here are completely valid excuses for not turning up to the first week of lectures (and a few reasons why you should, just to be fair).

Everything You Need To Know Is Online

The first lecture back is usually just going over what you’re covering in the semester, but a quick flick through the topic guide will offer you the same information from the comfort of your own home.

The same things applies for statement of assessment methods. Just note the due dates in your diary and you’re done! And on the off chance that something really important is discussed, you can catch up with the lecture recording. Don’t make a habit out of it, but one time won’t hurt will it?

You’re Not Paid To Be At Uni

Whether you’re on Centrelink or not, money is scarce when you’re a student. And let’s face it, appetites are rife – brain food’s a thing. So, if it comes down to working a couple of extra shifts throughout the first week, or going to lectures… I know what I’m picking.

Obviously you can’t do this forever (you should eventually go to classes), but a week of extra work can be the difference between affording extra fillings in your burrito or going without. And you can’t reasonably expect your brain to function on sad half-filled burritos.

It’s Cold Outside

We’re in winter. How do I know that? Because our small talk has changed from “How are you going?” to “It’s bloody cold, isn’t it?”

The best place to be in winter is your nice warm toasty bed. Can you really hibernate and go to lectures at the same time? Probs not.

Plus, when you’re outside in the cold, there’s a higher chance you’ll get sick. So, you can either stay nice and warm (and healthy) in bed, or you can go outside in the cold, get rained on and sick as a result. Pretty easy choice, even before you bring comfy pyjamas into it.

But Here’s The Flip Side…

You Can Suss Out The Lecturers And Tutors

A lecturer or tutor can make or break a topic. Too intense and you can feel the topic taking up all your time, but too relaxed and you may as well teach yourself. Going to the first week of semester is a good way to suss out the lecturers and tutors when they give those little intros about themselves. This will also give you the one up when it comes to going into semester knowing who you’re dealing with and what they’re looking for in HD-calibre students.

Gossip’s Where It’s At

We all have those uni friends: you’re close enough to care about their latest drama, but not close enough to actually see them outside of the semester. The first week back is perfect for hearing about their latest adventures because you can spend hours over one coffee without feeling like you should be working. And if you skip it, you run the risk of being left out of the campus gossip cycle. That wouldn’t be much fun, would it?

Free Food. All Of The Free Food.

People and the crowds they make when they swarm together are bad. Food that you don’t have to pay for is good. Unfortunately, when you get free food you usually get the swarm too, but not if no one else can be bothered rocking up.

University societies usually put on their free pancakes/sausage sizzle/any food events to raise awareness in the first week back. Do you really need more convincing? Thought so.

(Lead image: Bridget Jone’s Diary/Universal)