Intellect Interrupted

Have you ever been sitting in a class – pretty well absorbed by the lecture or discussion – and you see movement in your peripheral or hear a faint clicking sound, only to turn your head and realize the idiot next to you thinks their texting has gone unnoticed?

Have you been sitting in the same state of interest when someone, with a laptop for taking “notes,” suddenly goes on a typing frenzy and suddenly the keyboard is the loudest thing in the room?

Have you been sitting there, close to raising your hand to ask what you think is a great question when somebody else (without raising their hand) blurts out “Question!” They then proceed to mention that it’s not related, but they of course have to ask it anyway.

The question turns out to be a loaded one, leaving the professor a little miffed about having to explain a subject totally unrelated – what a waste of lecture/class time.

Suddenly the whole lecture is off course and you are sitting there wondering what dolphins have to do with 18th century architecture.

Why has it become so difficult for some of us to focus in class? Half the time we leave the professors prompting us with questions, waiting for someone to start a discussion, or just simply answering questions for us.

We are all adults here. Keeping an intelligent conversation going is something our brains are capable of, and yet many times we fail to even utter one word answers.

Often I wonder if it is for lack of respect to the professor that students are so detached from classes.

Why are we sometimes so rowdy that the professor leaves the room? Why can’t we stay on topic and follow the plans of the professor?

Curiosity is great, but not when it is at the expense of learning what you are meant to learn. I think it would be great if students would take it down a notch while class is in session. Respect the professor, listen, participate – and stay on task. Ask questions – but make sure they are relevant.

If you have some question burning inside you that doesn’t pertain, write it down and ask the professor after class. This way you don’t risk annoying classmates or ruining the lecture’s intent.

It is also a great idea, and respectful to the professor, to wait until you have been dismissed to pack up your things. It is awfully irritating to those around you if you are rummaging through loose papers, zipping zippers, etc.

Sometimes the most important information is spoken in the last few minutes of class, but it can’t be heard over the noise of anxious students.

I really wish laptops were simply not allowed in any classroom, unless it is absolutely necessary. I wish that students would stop texting during class – texting about guys or weekend plans can wait until after class.

Better yet, why not meet up in person and talk about it? All of these are just distractions that keep us from learning which, contrary to popular belief, is why we are in school in the first place.