[drosagain]

I know this is a problem other places too..I just need to get it out of my system before I explode! So ignore if you like

I am in a small local community college. I just started so I have to go back to the basics, which means A&P, but our school is seperated by program types from the start. (Meaning you are a nursing student even though you are taking prereqs)

Our college also participates in a welfare program with the state. The program is after so long, you either work or go to school, or you get no money for welfare. Soooo you can imagine what kind of people this school pulls in.

Our A&P class consists of MA, Dental Assistants, billers and coders, and nurses of course. These non nurse programs draw most of these people that are forced into the program because they do not want to work. I can not believe how rude they are! I have experienced them answering their cell phones in the middle of lecture, cheating on tests, getting up and leaving, leaving for the rest of the day, coming in late...and talking ALL THE FREAKING TIME! The other day I counted in hour 13 times people got up and left the room!!! This doesnt count the times that some of them returned. You are talking people walking in and out approx 20 times!! Of course none of these people were nursing students...it seems our students know the importance of this program.

A few of us were walking out of class the other day and it was mentioned to the instructor and she said she knew and that there was not much she could do because she could not tell who all it was because it would happen so fast. She said that we will probably have the same students in our A&PII class too(those that dont fail that is).

So the next day we come in and on the wipe board is a big sign. She had changed it so that there is now assigned seats!!! UGHHHHH.. Im not complaining because I know she HAD to do it in order to keep track of everyone that decided to leave. It is just so frustrating that ADULTS have to be reduced to assigned seats. Freaking people care less about their education!

Ok Im done ranting....Oh yeah by the way...this is the first time I ever started a post!! LOL And I do it by complaining.

[richardjboro1]

shoot, you're lucky... we have JUNIOR BSN students who act this way... They talk in class, text all day (guilty at times myself) leave to answer phones, etc....So hear ya tho

Richard

[indymom4]

I can't stand that. It's a slap in the face and a major distraction to the people that actually WANT to be there and learn to make a better life for themselves. It kills me that people sit back and expect a hand out while they do nothing to change their situation.
I know all about low-income and all that because I receive food stamps and Section 8. However, I work my tail off to get through school as fast as possible so I don't have to rely on any kind of assistance. People like that are the reason people like me are looked down on and treated like an unintelligent, unmotivated mooch and drain on society.

[TakeTwoAspirin]

What bothers me more than these inconsiderate students, are the professors who pretend like there is nothing they can do about it. How about tell the whole class that cell-phones must be turned off, if the phone rings during class the student needs to pack up their stuff and leave the room to answer it (and not come back), they will then be considered absent from the class for the entire period. As for getting up and leaving in the middle of the lecture to go to the bathroom (whatever!), it is an adult class. Anyone who cannot hold their bodily functions for a couple of hours needs a medical excuse. If the lecture has started by the time you arrive in the morning, don't bother coming in, you will be turned around. I'm sorry, but people pay good money for these classes and their rights should be paramount over these inconsiderate loafers.


If the prof gets tough like this, then the people causing the disturbance will pretty soon realize that their meal-ticket will be cut off unless they shape up - presumably if they don't show up they don't get paid!

[NRSKarenRN]

Expectations need to be set by the instructor and followed through. Peer input into setting "learning environment we wish to have" in first class sets tone --and can cut down on environmental distractions.

[drosagain]

Originally Posted by indymom4

People like that are the reason people like me are looked down on and treated like an unintelligent, unmotivated mooch and drain on society.

Ohhhhh how I agree! I also get public assistance between working, going to school, and being a single mom..I can only do so much. In fact, I am going back to school for a second degree, because my first one doesnt offer many jobs in my area!

I think what burns me even more..I work only 20-25 hours a week and I STILL Had to take out loans, whereas these same people are going absolutely for free.

[indymom4]

My advanced Physio instructor had a 5 minute rule. 5 minutes after lecture begins, the doors are shut and locked and you don't get in. Phones are to be shut off. Not on vibrate. OFF. We had a couple girls whos phones started vibrating during a test and wow! The instructor went off.

[indymom4]

Ticks me off too that the sterotype is placed on everyone that has to utilize public assistance. I am a single mom of 4. The reason I am in the boat I am in is because I divorced an abusive husband that would have rather seen me dead than alive.
I work my tail off to raise my kids the right way and have taught them that nothing in this life is free and if you want something you have to make it happen for yourself.
One thing I have noticed is when people speak to you, they use a different tone when they find out you are on public assistance.
When I moved into my apartment complex, I signed all my papers with the old manager. I was speaking to the new manager about renewing my lease and he was speaking to me like I was an adult and intelligent. Once he found out I was Section 8, he started using smaller words and less intelligent conversation.
I felt sooooooo horrible about myself in that instant. Unfortunately, that's just the way it is. I just wanted to scream "I'm not stupid. I'm just poor!!"
It's just more motivation for me get this degree and show everyone that I'm no idiot. I've just had a hard road to walk.

[tothepointe]

I remember one of my favorite instructors from a psych class used to set the door so it locked from the outside. You could go out but once you were out you were stuck. Same thing if you were late for class you weren't getting in.

Unfortunately the behaviour you are describing comes part and parcel with community colleges and its not just those that are on welfare but those former gang members ( or current ) I remember getting stuck talking to one before english class once about how hard it was in the barrio as well as those who didn't do well in high school and just simply aren't used to the class room enviroment.

After attending a private design school that greatly influenced my decision to attend a private nursing school as while a private school offers you alot of "comforts" it can and will kick out people as necessary (of course the waiting lists were the major influencing factor)

My pet peeve at cc was those who didn't buy books and while I understand why because books are quite expensive it slows the learning process down alot. Alot of the students who didn't buy boos were taking a full course load and would have been better off overall taking less credits and buying books but I I understood the motivation to try and get as much college done before your parents kick you out of home.

[multicollinearity]

Originally Posted by tothepointe

Unfortunately the behaviour you are describing comes part and parcel with community colleges and its not just those that are on welfare but those former gang members ( or current ) I remember getting stuck talking to one before english class once about how hard it was in the barrio as well as those who didn't do well in high school and just simply aren't used to the class room enviroment.

After attending a private design school that greatly influenced my decision to attend a private nursing school as while a private school offers you alot of "comforts" it can and will kick out people as necessary (of course the waiting lists were the major influencing factor)

For what it's worth - my experience is the opposite. I've taken classes at a community college and at a highly respected university. I was so surprised at how juvenile students would act in class at the university. Often, I couldn't even hear the professor over all the students' talking. Also, they were frequently disrespectful to professors and grad students.

In contrast, I never experienced this at my community college. Students at the community college seem much more serious about their academic work, and grateful to be there.