Civil Students

By: Kristi Painter

Through my own college experience I have noticed that when class is called into session it only means that the professor is about to speak, not necessarily that everyone is now paying attention. Laptops and cell phones are still in use throughout the room, some students may still be wearing pj’s, and whispered conversations can still be heard. Few students realize that their behavior is disrespectful to the professor who will be training them for a professional career. Thomas Benton states that he “see[s] among my students a dispiriting amount of cynicism about teachers and contempt for learning”. After completing high school students are given a large amount of freedom when it comes to college academics. Of course, you still have to work hard in order to make good grades but the new freedom spills over into the lecture hall too easily.

Only a few decades ago students at universities would not think twice about dressing nicely for class; a suit and tie were the only acceptable attire. No group of students was perfect, but keeping silent while a professor lectured was held in much higher regard than it is today. Current college students are given no requirements for attire or behavior which causes many to avoid dressing and acting in a professional manner. When a student is not acting professionally it is hard for their mind to think professionally, therefore increasing the potential for their

academics to suffer. The lack of standards may seem pleasing to many students but it is in sacrifice of the learning quality of the student body.