I have to say that this is an issue that infuriates me (and my lecturer).
I'm on a very small course, with only 16 of us, and out of those 16, I'm one of only 4 students who turn up regularly. Our lectures consist of us 4, plus one or two others who randomly turn up.
I understand that my course (Film Production) has a lot of practical content, and this particular course is exclusively assessed from essays, reports, seminars and practical work (films!). However I'm talking about the theory modules, in which fairly technical content is taught, and most people miss out entirely (there's one who I've seen 3 times since September!!!), then they wonder why they fail the essay assignments.
I'm also the Course Rep, which leaves me as the guy stuck in the middle with 'complaints' from students, which I feel are ridiculous but I have to put to the Course Leader (i.e. We don't think we should have to do ... essay), and tutors moaning at me that they put in a lot of work preparing lectures, and arranging guest speakers, only to be disheartened when only us regular 4 turn up, which is highly embarrassing for them. Also, our tutors are genuinely worried about their jobs, with the uni looking seriously at discontinuing our course. (That last complaint is only aired when me and the tutor talk informally, of course).
In short, I've been amazed at the attitude of some students, that they feel they deserve the degree without putting in the work. I get that not all courses are structured the same as mine, but at the end of the day, we're all paying in excess of £8k/year, and I have to ask what's the point if you're going to coast your way through.