There is such a thing as too much of a good thing, whether it be McChickens, ice cream, or even school.

Yes, school is a wonderful opportunity to better yourself. It allows for you to think in different disciplines and helps you work toward your future. But let's be real, a personal day here and there is just as important for your mind's growth as a PowerPoint presentation.

The thing about skipping class though is that, in order for it to be done correctly, you must be smart about picking your battles.

Never before have I met someone who doesn’t wish they could have slept just a little longer instead of having to get out of their blanket cocoon to sit through an hour and fifteen-minute lecture, but tiredness is not a valid excuse. We’re all tired, so go ahead and start your coffee addiction, because you knew it was going to have to happen sooner or later.

Now, I know, there are varying levels of sickness, especially when the average college lifestyle is chasing beer with a Taco Bell quesadilla... and let's not even mention the unspeakable level of uncleanliness that is normal for dorms. But when it comes to either skipping class or sucking it up and going, you really need to think about the big picture.

You have to ask yourself some questions before hitting send on that email to your teacher that says you “did the reading, and are for sure going to be getting whatever notes you missed from a fellow classmate”. Because just remember, unless this sickness is the real deal, they’re going to want a doctor's note, and who really wants to deal with all of that?

Here is some helpful criteria to decide if cutting class is worth it for your personal ailment:

Have a cold? So does 96 percent of campus most likely. Unless your average SPM (sniffle per minute) is completely outrageous and you’ll no doubt become “that person” in class, then go. Throw back some Dayquil and carry on.

Have a headache? There is a medical distinction between a headache and a migraine. Migraines suck; if you can't keep your eyes open without the light of your laptop screen physically torturing you, then you get a pass. Stay in bed. Otherwise, drink some coffee (remember, you’re addicted now) and maybe pop an Advil. You can take a nap between classes.

Are you vomiting? Skip. There is no need to explain this one.

It’s important to be selective in when you can and “can’t even” handle going to class because that selectivity allows for some wiggle room on days where skipping can be most beneficial to you. What sort of days could that be?

A random 60 degree sunny Friday in the middle of January in the normally frigid Midwest is one example I can think of. Go to a park. Your body needs Vitamin D, and here’s your chance.

Or maybe, because you saved up those skips, you can treat yourself to an extended weekend instead of having to wait until 3:15 to get on the road to see some high school friends.

But perhaps the most important type of day to save up your skips for is the day that feels like just another boring, monotonous day; it's the day that feels the same as the day before, and the day before that day, and so on. The day where you wake up and the idea of skipping just dips its pinky toe into the waters of your brain and you so quickly brush it off that the ripples of the idea are already disappearing in the water.

It’s those days that are most important to catch that idea before it ripples away entirely. Call in sick, take a personal day, and do something fun that will help your mind grow in ways that are different than what your textbooks tell you. Try something new, or do something you haven’t had time to do in forever. Go to a museum, take a weird fitness class, or go to a place that you've only ever driven by but never had time to step foot in.

Decide to make that day one to remember, because although I haven’t entered the work force yet, it doesn’t seem as easy to just blow off your responsibilities for a day when you’re 41 as it is when you’re 20.

So go ahead and skip your classes sometimes. If done correctly, you can still learn something of value.