<p>I was wondering how everyone else behaves when they're in class. I always had/have a hard time staying focused. I'm kinda all over the place, which makes me wonder why i went in the first place. No matter what I always do all my learning on my own time.</p>
<p>I know it varies by class, but do you sit and pay close attention or are you half auto-pilot most of the time? Are you allowed to bring your computer or do your profs get offended? What are some good ways to kill time when you're in class?</p>
<p>It depends on the class and the professor. I’ve had some professors who obviously have no desire to make any connections with students. If you have a class of 15 students, you should be able to know my name after a few weeks or so. If you don’t have the courtesy to do such, then if you’re class is boring I may not have the courtesy to pay attention.</p>
<p>In giant lectures that were easy and pointless for me to be there (but required attendance) I usually brought my laptop. Again, I don’t think any class should be so easy, that the only reason why students show up is because attendance is required.</p>
<p>If the professor is really into the subject, if I’m really interested, if the class is small, or if it is challenging, I pay attention unless I’m not feeling well, in which case I fidget a bit. If I do get bored for any particular reason, but don’t want to be rude, I pretty much make up a schedule for the rest of the week, decide what I’ll eat, etc.</p>
<p>Depends on the class of course. If my job is going to be building bridges, then I damn well better pay attention in my bridge-building classes. But I’ll probably slack off in philosophy.</p>
<p>I’m like you QKiain - I attend every class and all but I’m all over the place, have trouble staying focused, but I absorb enough info that I can study it again at a later time</p>
<p>I always attend lecture, and I pay attention in most of them. Whenever I have a TR lecture that runs for an hour and a half, I tend to stop focusing. Therefore, I usually also go to the MWF version of the same lecture if it’s open. When I have weekly lectures that are three hours, I don’t pay attention at all; usually those are awful gen eds that I couldn’t care less about anyway, and as long as I do the homework, I’m golden.</p>
<p>Sometimes some level of multitasking is required to keep me from falling asleep, no matter how well rested I am. When that happens I generally look up what we are talking about online and pick up more info. If I am in the back and can’t bother anybody I will check email and facebook in lectures if the professor hasn’t specifically asked us not to, whichcase I oblige. Given that I listen, take notes, and actively participate when expected to I don’t see why I shouldn’t consider myself a good student while in class even if I am doing other things.</p>
<p>same. i go to EVERY lecture… i miss alot of the info though… not because i want to but because i will just space out… but somehow i always get the important parts like “test next week” or “next lecture will be the review” :)</p>
<p>I frequently miss lectures but I’m always attentive when I go (self selection I guess–if I’m too tired to pay attention I’m not there). I’ve never attended every lecture for any class in my 3 years of college.</p>
<p>Whenever I miss lecture I read the corresponding text extra carefully.</p>
<p>If a class counts participation, and I know I can get an A in the class, then I will miss as many lectures as possible. I don’t like the concept. I don’t think professors actually notice/care, but I have gotten an A in my financial accounting class after missing all of weeks 4-12 (tests were at night) and participation counted for 50/700 points. (Got a 12/50 in participation).</p>
<p>So, no, I’m a jackass. But I always come prepared when I go.</p>
<p>^ Are you a fluffy science major with accounting or something? Participation seem to only count for those majors. I do not get why some student are chatting loud, playing videogames, ect. if they do not have to be there.</p>
<p>If it is a big lecture class, then probably not. For the smaller classes where the teacher knows my name and will call people out, yes. Of course, if it is interesting, I will.</p>
<p>I am usually a good student and have only missed two lectures. One for medical problems and one for testing out of a Spanish course.</p>
<p>In class, I always turn my cellphone off (or on silent). I never text, I always take notes, and if I don’t understand a concept, I ask questions. I always try to sit in the front row.</p>
<p>But there have been times, in big lectures, when I was extremely tired and slept a little.</p>
<p>I also only missed four classes in two semesters. Two were because I was sick, one was because a certain someone convinced me not to go, and one was because of traffic court :/</p>
<p>If it’s interesting and discussion based, I can focus. Somewhat at least. There’s only a few classes where important information is discussed, and Prof’s post their lectures. Discussions are more fun because it is really easy to set people off and get a discussion going. Good discussions hold my attention for 15 or so. I can focus for a max of 20-30 minutes without meds. But I think everyone has some problems focusing because classes drag on and there is a bunch of useless information.</p>