Bwog, Religion, and You!!

As someone who has missed their fair share of classes for Jewish holidays, learning how to do so without completely drowning is an acquired skill. I am here to share a few tips and tricks with you, dear reader, as you meander into the business that is college.

• Still try to do the reading- I know you’re probably busy out of your mind, but if the readings are relevant, you won’t feel like you missed as much.
• Try not to save everything for right after the holiday, you will be overloaded.
• Find someone with good handwriting during the first class and ask them if you can take a picture of their notes after the next class. Not only will it put you in a place where you have a friend in the class, but it will also make them more attentive when they are taking notes because they will know they are sharing them. 
• If you are going to class in some sort of modified way, warn the professor ahead of time! Explaining it in class is often a whole mess!
• Email your professor! Here is a template:

Dear Professor_____, 

I hope you are well. I am looking forward to our class this upcoming semester. I wanted to inform you that I will be missing our class on _____ due to the ______ holiday of ______. If the class is recorded, I would be happy to watch the recording in order to catch up and will acquire notes from a peer. These classes count as excused due to religious observance. If you need documentation from my dean or have any questions, please let me know. 

Thank you so much for your understanding,

__________

If you have any problems- contact the center of religious life at 212-854-2184 or religiouslife@columbia.edu. No professor should give you a problem about this. You are protected under law to miss classes for religious reasons without being penalized.

St. Paul’s Chapel via Bwog Archives