In this article, I’ll tell you about 5 things you should avoid doing in college to not annoy your professors and classmates.
Some of the things you shouldn’t do in class include making noise with your phone, talking while the professor is explaining, constantly interrupting, sleeping, and doing activities unrelated to the subject.
Keep reading to learn more about this and what could happen if you do any of these things.
The Day I Saw a Professor Expel a Student from Class
Let me start with an anecdote about a professor I had many years ago. He was strict and didn’t tolerate students doing anything other than paying attention.
Since his class was for first-year students, he would receive young students every semester. Those more engaged in academics quickly understood what kind of professor he was, but the distracted and uninterested ones had no clue.
In the mornings, students would often receive the university newspaper, handed out for free at the entrance. It featured academic news as well as national and international updates. It was written by students and graduates. Many students carried it with them and entered their first class of the day with it.
Sometimes, out of habit, a student would start reading it in the middle of this professor’s class. When he caught them, what followed was an embarrassing situation where the professor asked the student to leave the classroom. The lecture wouldn’t continue until that student silently walked out.
Can you picture the scene?
Exactly, that’s how it was.
Just like reading the newspaper, there are other activities and behaviors that can drive a professor crazy. Here are some of them.
1. Noisy Cell Phone
The first rule to learn is to turn off your phone. If you can’t turn it off, at least put it on silent mode—just make sure it actually stays silent! Also, be careful, as vibrations can be surprisingly loud.
Some professors can get really upset if your phone goes off in class. It’s understandable since it disrupts their lecture and can make them lose their train of thought.
If your phone rings during an exam, the professor might not be as angry, but your classmates definitely will be. Double-check that your phone won’t make any noise during the test.
2. Talking While the Professor Is Explaining
In university classes, your main job is to listen and, when appropriate, ask questions.
If you start talking to someone, you might annoy them first. It sounds strange, but some students don’t realize that the first person they disturb is the one they’re talking to. Have you ever considered whether your classmate, even if they’re your friend, actually wants to listen to you while the professor is lecturing?
On top of that, you could disrupt the rest of the class. And worst of all, you might make the professor really angry.
3. Constantly Interrupting the Class
If you have questions, it’s fine to ask. But don’t disrupt the flow of the lesson. The professor might not get upset, but your classmates will start giving you annoyed looks.
If you want to learn how to ask questions and participate properly in class, check out the article on the benefits of participating in university lectures.
4. Sleeping
This can be one of the biggest signs of disrespect toward a professor. Among the things you shouldn’t do at university, this might be the worst.
Some professors may not only ask you to leave, but also ban you from future classes. If you’re feeling tired and sleepy, it’s better to step out of the classroom for a while until you feel more awake.
5. Doing Activities Unrelated to the Class
If you’re retaking a course, it’s common to sit in the back and listen while reviewing notes or working on exercises.
However, as I mentioned in the anecdote, never start reading a newspaper, a novel, or playing on your phone.
Basic Rules and Common Sense
As you’ve seen, university is not the same as high school. I recommend the article 9 Differences Between University and High School, where you’ll find many key differences to keep in mind.
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