Packing up early impolite

October 30, 2006 —

In high school, my fellow classmates could often be found having their own conversations with each other during the teacher's lectures and would always noisily pack up 10 minutes before class was over.Apparently these annoying little habits have carried over to college.

I am now a junior here at SVSU. I'm beginning to take higher level courses and many of the inexperienced lower classmen are dissipating from my classrooms, meaning the seemingly more mature and experienced students take up many of the seats in class.

Why, then, haven't most of them learned proper classroom etiquette? My professors have plenty of time to share their last few thoughts and my fellow classmates are shuffling papers, zipping up coats, and pushing in their chairs ready to make a beeline for the door. How on earth can all these adults think it's perfectly okay to disrespect their teachers like this?

When I told a few friends about what I decided to write my commentary about, they thought my idea was terrible. "Well I always do that. There's no harm in it" was the main response from all of them. I replied by picking up my belongings and leaving before they finished their sentences, and then they got annoyed that I stopped listening to them. I believe the word irony would correctly sum up that situation.

I've heard the "I only have 10 minutes to walk all the way to Science East from the Education building so I have to be ready to go" excuse. I have but one response to this: too bad. If this terribly gruesome walk can't be made in 10 minutes for you, then prior arrangements should've been made. Students have plenty of time between registering for classes and actually beginning classes for them to rearrange schedules.

We're all paying hundreds of dollars to attend class. I most certainly did not pay to hear students scuffling about like three year olds in church. Quickly packing up your belongings all at the same time will more than likely get you out of that classroom quicker than what it would have been anyways. As much as I wish this was true, students don't get to decide when the class period is finished. If you feel you cannot properly handle yourself, then simply don't go.

Believe me, there are days when I can't stand even the thought of walking into class and listening to a lecture for hours. I'm not saying I always enjoy class. I'm not some creep that gets a high off of sitting in boring white rooms listening to my monotone professor, but that still doesn't excuse improper classroom behavior.

Professors aren't trying to be jerks when they ask you to sit still and be quiet, they'd simply just like to be heard. It is, after all, their class. I truly feel embarrassed for students who choose not to show respect for professors. It's really too bad they couldn't mind their manners and listen for just a few more minutes.

Winter registration begins Nov. 6. For those of you who have terribly important and busy schedules and seem to think packing up during lecture will save so much precious time, I ask you to plan your school schedules accordingly this semester. Please show respect for your fellow students who want to learn and your professors who want to teach.