We’ve all seen the classroom rules posted on the backs of doors, the sides of white boards, the huge paragraphs of what not to do on our syllabus’s. And maybe, for the first week, we all follow the rules. We don’t chew gum in class, no food is brought in after third period, cell phones stay in pockets and bags, and everyone is at least in the classroom when the bell rings. We follow the rules out of fear. It’s all a part of the plan. First we obey the rules, to gain the teacher’s respect. Then, the testing starts. One student will start to bring in her lunch because she is too busy during the designated period of time to eat. Another will sneak his earbuds into his ears. But perhaps the worst of all, are the kids who start showing up later and later to class.
While I understand that the whole atmosphere of SDA is more relaxed than any other school, that should not allow disrespectful behavior to be tolerated. Not only are the teachers inconvenienced by the rules not being followed, but your fellow students get quite fed up with you as well. I may sound like the biggest square in Squaresville when I say this, but seeing the tardy students waltz in half an hour late is incredibly frustrating, especially when I have to sit by these offenders, and get them up to speed on what they missed when they were outside doing god-knows what.
Another rule that is broken way too often? The no food in class rule. It’s unbelievably hard to concentrate when John Doe, sitting next to me is eating his corn nuts making more noise than the construction outside and somewhat resembling a cow chewing cud, with little brown spiced crumbs appearing on the corners of his mouth. How distracting. Try a nutrigran bar, buddy.
Now, I’m not asking you delinquents for much: just to eat on your own time, and show up to class. If you feel the need to eat, please don’t resemble a farm animal, and if you show up late for class, don’t expect those of us who pay attention to stop what we are doing and fill you in. These are rules. Not suggestions.