No one is better at skipping school than seniors.

As school wraps up for seniors next week, many are using the absences they have been saving up all semester.

It may seem like seniors take days off randomly, but there is actually a method to skipping — assuming they want to keep good grades.

First, check the weather.

If it is going to be a rainy, cold day, then why waste an absence on it?

When the weather is nice, the whole day can be spent outside instead of staring at it through a school window.

Also, realize what the day off will do. If Friday is taken off, it is now a three-day weekend. Some people like taking off a day in the middle of the week so it does not feel as long.

Most people think taking Monday off would be best, but throwing the week off at the beginning can make people lose interest in the rest of the week.

Second, make sure nothing is going on in school that day. Making up work or turning things in late can hurt a grade.

See if any of the work can be done at home or if you will have to stay after to make it up.

Tests should not be skipped. People never end up doing better when they take it a few days later, even if they “studied.”

That comes to the third point. When skipping school, there is always going to be work that has to be done. Just because a person is not in school does not mean the whole day should be spent doing nothing.

Do some of the work the night before as part of regular homework; that way, when waking up the next morning, there is not a long to-do list to contend with.

Sometimes school is unavoidable. Teachers give participation points for being involved in a class discussion or project. These little points can add up to affect a grade, especially if the grade is close to changing.

When working on big projects or labs, never leave a partner hanging. Not only is it rude and inconsiderate, it can affect their grade as well.

Instead, plan to just come in for just that hour or wait until the project is over to skip school.

You should always be ready to go in if necessary.

It has happened before where someone does not plan on coming in to school, so they do not finish their work. If they need to show up for some reason and do not have their work done, it can put them in a tricky situation.

Having everything done ahead of time allows students to enjoy their day off more and not stress out when they come back the next day.

Lastly, have a plan of what to do when not in school. Do not waste the day by playing video games and watching TV.

Sleeping in is the best thing to do, but once awake, have a list to get done. This list does not need to involve school. In fact, it should having nothing to do with it.

Students can do many things like clean their rooms up and wash their clothes. They can organize their things or clean out their cars.

Maybe a student needs to shop for some items and has been waiting for a good time to do it. Stores are less busy early in the morning when everyone else is working or in school.

Overall, students need to realize if they want to take a day off school and still keep their grades up, planning and work has to go into it.

Never sacrifice grades for taking a day off because once that bad habit is started, it is hard to break.