While anxiously waiting for a late professor to show up to class, there is always at least one student who yells, “If the professor isn’t here in 15 minutes, we can all leave!” Some of us have even exclaimed the phrase ourselves. Where does this ancient student adage come from? More importantly, what has led us to believe that it’s actually true?
The saying goes that if a professor does not show up within 15 minutes from the start of class, students are able to leave without consequences. However, no such rule is to be found. In fact, few (if any) universities have any written policy on how long a student should wait for a professor.
How long you wait depends on several things such as campus culture, your own patience, and how many of your classmates decide to stick around. If you are stuck in this situation it’s probably a good idea to e-mail the professor, start a sign-up sheet for the students there, or contact the teaching assistant (TA). There is no specified amount of time for how long you should (or shouldn’t) wait for a late professor.
Word of advice, if you leave 15 minutes after the start of class time you are in no way exempt from the missed assignments or lecture. After all, your professor could run in 20 minutes late and you have nothing to show for it. Nonetheless, it’s essential to remember that your education is what you make of it. Leaving or waiting is a decision you have to make for yourself.