Classroom Manners

You may only have fifty minutes per class, but you are all there for the same thing. The only one with a different task, of course, is the teacher. Here are tips to help make your time in class productive and pleasant for you, your classmates, and your teacher.

Before Class Begins

When you arrive in the room, greet everyone with a smile. You don't have to engage in a long dialogue. A simple "hi" or "good morning" will do. If you have time to talk with your friends before class, do it quietly so you won't distract others who might be doing last-minute studying.

If you have last-minute studying and your friends want to talk, let them know you have something to finish and will catch up later.

There are lots of times when you might need to ask a teacher about something. Depending on when you ask, it might not be a good time for the teacher to address, so start off by asking when a good time to discuss XYZ would be. If it’s now, great! If not, your teacher will suggest a better time and you can address the issue with them then.

If someone else is talking to the teacher and you have to wait your turn, stand back a bit to respect the other student’s privacy. This is a great life lesson for our other public spaces as well (in line at the post office, the bank, and at the pharmacy or grocery store as well.

Be mindful of your things. Your bags can be on the floor next to you. Leave chairs and work areas clear for people to use. Keep your book bag where no one can trip over it. Whether you are seated at a desk or table or in an auditorium, try to restrict yourself and your things to the space provided for one person.

During Class

You get out of class what you put into it. Even if you're not interested in the subject in general, pay attention and try to find a particular aspect that interests you. Paying attention is also a huge sign of respect not just to the teacher as they teach, but to your fellow students who are trying to focus as well.

Turn off your phone, or at least silence notifications. This is respectful to everyone, including you - you don’t need those distractions when you’re trying to learn!

When you have something to say, do it in the style of the class. If it's a lecture class, raise your hand when you have a question. If it's a discussion class, wait until the person speaking has finished. When others are speaking, be an active listener, nodding along to show you understand what they are saying, or responding with appropriate reactions to things like surprising or shocking facts, or even funny moments.

Follow classroom guidelines for getting up, walking around, and leaving for the restroom. Each teacher may have different standards.

You want to have an active and engaged posture during class. Sit up at your desk or table. Lying all over your desk is disrespectful to your teacher and fellow students alike. You may be tired (or bored), but that's no excuse for making everyone around you suffer, too.

Avoid passing notes or texting in class. This is just as rude as interrupting the class.

When Class Is Over

Leaving class well is just as important as greeting others when you arrive. Remember to pick up after yourself, collecting any tissues, bits of paper, or garbage that you’ve created during the lesson and putting it in the garbage or away if it’s something you’re keeping.

Move promptly out of the classroom to make room for those coming in. If you need to talk to your teacher, again, ask if it's a good time. Even if your teacher is not talking to another student, they may need time to prepare for the next class. If so, set a time to talk later.