Lecture Etiquette

The semster is well underway, as if all of the exams and due dates on our calendars aren’t enough of an indication. At the end of the semester, some of us tend to get very comfortable in our routines and start displaying some annoying habits without even realizing it. This is where I call out all the students that are committing the most forbidden crimes in the classroom and provide tips for ending the semester without making any enemies. 

 

The best thing to do in this situation is to draw as little (additional) attention to yourself as possible.

1. Don’t make a dramatic performance of finding a seat. (This will be addressed thoroughly down at number 4.)

2. Avoid loud unpacking.

3. If you have to ask a neighbor about something you missed earlier, pick a good time, no one wants to miss any crucial information from the professor.

 

 

There’s always the one student that raises their hand and leaves everyone slumping in their chairs mumbling under their breath. This person will ask a question that is just an extension of what was just said or they will add in a startling fact that they for some reason thought a professor, who is an expert in this area, would not already know. Just so we are all clear: stating the obvious does not count as participating.

As college students we all enjoy the liberation from the ancient cages of assigned seats. No, that fourth seat from the right in the third row from the back doesn’t have my name on it, however, if I have been sitting there during every class for the past two weeks I suggest you not try to play musical chairs. General rule of thumb: at least try to stay in a three seat radius of where you normally reside. College students are more territorial than they let on.

 

Whether you come into class late or show up on time, you are the girl with the three ton bookbag that just really wants to sit in the seat in the middle of the aisle. You’ve whacked four people in the face with your backpack swinging, bruised two shins, and possibly dislocated at least one toe on your trek to that isolated empty seat. If this seat is that important to you, there a few alternatives.

1. Get to class in plenty of time to spare the rest of us.

2. Wear lighter shoes. 

3. Take your time, the faster you try to step over people the more likely you are to awkwardly trip over us. 

 

Each semester the professor usually threatens to take off points for the students who are obvious about their Facebook addiction. Professors claim it’s a distraction to other students in class. When we hear this we either think: 1. I’ll get away with it, or 2. I don’t do that, but I could not care less what other students do on their laptops. But, it turns out, Ashley in the second row has a very interesting Pinterest feed and all of those quotes and searches for semi-formal dresses has actually captured our attention for the past twenty minutes. No one is going to complain about you iMessaging your roommates, looking up funny cat gifs or ordering really weird furniture but, we do pay attention to it more than you think.

 

 

Other characters that have shown up to lecture include: The Sleeper, The Slow Note Taker, The Loud Typer/Pencil Tapper and The Kid That Never Knows What’s Going On (and always has to ask “Dude, did they take attendence last class?” or “Is the exam on Blackboard?”)