At the art academy of east China's Zhejiang University of Technology, students applying for a day off don’t need a sick note from their doctor or an email from their dad, but hand-drawn pictures expressing the reason for their time away from studies. /Photo from zjol.com

Using the format of greeting cards, sketches and doodles, students have been getting creative when explaining their reasons for leave. /Photo from zjol.com

One absence letter shows that the student planned to attend her brother’s wedding. /Photo from zjol.com

The initiative offers students a chance to use their artistic skills in daily life, and the letters will also give them beautiful memories of their time at school, a teacher surnamed Gu told local media zjol.com. /Photo from zjol.com