Is there a code of behavior expected of students at school? Of course. Wherever people interact regularly, expectations for appropriate behavior are at play. School is often the first formal venue where best behavior is not only expected, but it’s a setting where student behavior can tangibly influence learning and impact performance. Think of it as the instructors’ and students’ workplace, where outcomes are measured and reported. Students can be any age so, today, let’s focus on grades seven through 12, plus college.
Below are a hefty handful of classroom etiquette tips, worthy of sharing with the students in your household:
• Come on Time and Be Prepared: Show up on time with all that you need e.g. pens, notes, books. If you must borrow materials, ask in advance with gratitude. If late, enter quietly and apologize for any disruption. If seriously late, check to see what assignments or announcements you may have missed.
• Silence Electronic Devices: Unless required for class, turn off or silence your devices. No texts, no music, no social media during class. If you use devices to capture lectures, your notes, etc., use settings that do not override classroom voices and sounds. No one wants to hear your ringtone.
• Show Respect to All: Everyone deserves respect in how you address and treat them. No nicknames or offensive terms in class; professors will direct you regarding their preferred titles and names. Avoid conversations with friends; not only is it distracting, but it is also the ultimate form of disrespect in a classroom. Respect differences in people and opinions as well.
• Wait Your Turn: Whether it’s asking or answering a question, raise your hand and wait your turn. Listen to questions of other students so you don’t repeat them. Use “please” and “thank you” courtesies as appropriate. During student presentations, don’t be rude, silly, or distracting.
• Be Attentive and Contribute: The last thing a teacher wants is “deadheads” in class. Engage in the discussion at hand with enthusiasm but do not interrupt others or dominate the dialogue. If you don’t know, say so humbly (and try to keep up).
• Stay for the Entire Class/Alert Teacher When You’ll Miss Class: If you must leave early or will miss a class, alert the instructor in advance. If you do need to leave early, pick a seat close to the door, then exit quietly and quickly. If absent, the onus is on you to collect any missed material.
• Fun at the Right Time: Finally, there’s a right place and a right time for fun. Don’t have fun in class at someone else’s expense; don’t have fun in class when you know it’s inappropriate (and you know). Save your jokes for before and after class.
To all students within the M.I.A. family: Have an amazing year of adventure, learning, discoveries, successes, challenges, growth, and fun!
Jacqui Love Thornell is a native Miamian and retired corporate executive. With “help shape a better world” as her mantra, Thornell writes to tackle the awkward situations readers face in a world where technology, social media, gender definitions, and cultural lifestyle differences drive behavior. New-age etiquette strives to rise above the fray of rudeness, haters, and negativity to attain human encounters that are civil and thoughtful.