Annoying classmate

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I'm in a five week summer biology class and I have a classmate who is driving me crazy. She interrupts lecture every 2 minutes to ask questions and groans loadly everytime we go to a new ppt slide. Her questions are usually NOT clarification questions either. It usually goes like this:

Her: Oh, this is xxxxxx.

Instructor: No, xxxxxx is completely different.

Her: But it's similar to xxxxxx, right?

Instructor: No, not really, they are two completely different processes.

Her: Then what's xxxxxx?

Instructor: Well, we'll get to that later/that's not really related to this class.

Her: Okay, but it's sort of like this, right?

Instructor: Let's talk about it later.

Her: Okay.

We only have five weeks for this class and we are already a little behind because of her. Everytime she asks one of her stupid questions I can hear some guys behind me whispering to each other. I can't hear them well enough to tell what they are saying, but I am guessing it is not polite.

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I'm sorry you have to deal with that type of person. She seems eager to show that she is intelligent but not actually accomplishing that. I wish you luck.

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I've had a few classes with students like that.

It does get very frustrating - I feel like the person asking the questions doesn't know that the other students are gritting their teeth and rolling their eyes waiting for her to finish.

Maybe it's just the way that the particular student learns, by getting simple clarifications. The teachers can't really say anything about it because college is for learning - so I guess you're stuck for 5 weeks?

Good luck! :)

I had to sit through the last 8-week semester, and I was so relieved that I didn't have to listen to her! (Mean, I know)

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Specializes in SNU/SNF/MedSurg, SPCU Ortho/Neuro/Spine.

you should speak up and say, please can we continue with the related topics!

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Reminds me of the girl that had a family member with every genetic mutation that our Biology teacher ever mentioned. Sometimes if it was a male only mutation she had female family members that were affected by it. She would tell the instructor that she was going to call Sally-Loo whoever and ask them about their mom who had died 6 months ago. sure enough next class meeting she would say "remember me talking about sally-loos mom.. well that was what was wrong with her"

I would keep all my rude, and hateful comments inside.. But I swore if I ever walked in another class and saw that woman I was immediately withdrawing from that class session.

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I have this problem as well. There are a few who have questions about everything!! I just wish that I didn't feel like there was so mush that I am missing out on because someone inturrups every chance they get. Is there some way to be nice about it......I know there are plenty of ways to be rude. But I think that I would be alittle embarrased if I didn't realize that my questions were affecting other students and someone pointed it out in the middle of class. Can anyone help? Is there a way to be nice?

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I know one time I was in class and everyone started going off topic, talking about their personal experiences and all this other emotional stuff. I got so ticked off that I raised my hand and said,"Excuse me, can we get back to the lecture?"

Your instructor should tell everyone that he/she will answer questions after he/she has finished covering that specific topic. That way there are no constant interruptions. Perhaps you should talk to your instructor about this.

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There was a guy in my nursing class 12 years ago. A group of students finally took him aside outside of class and talked to him about his constant interruptions. He had no idea. And he stopped.

He was a nice guy. Just didn't realize it.

Maybe if some of you took her aside and talked to her. Nicely.

steph

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

We have one of these. She is a foreign student and is constantly asking the instructor to repeat himself. He's gotten to where he will say it again once and move on...so then she turns to me or others to repeat it for her and we miss what he is going on to. Its really frustrating. She gets all excited in lab class when he shows different slides and chants "yes yes yes!" as he shows the slide..and again, people cannot hear. And she doesn't hesitate to stand right in front of you to get the best view...leaving her seat. I asked her last night if she could go back to her seat because we ALL need to see it. Its pretty aggravating. She is obviously determined to do well, and she is. But we ALL need and want to do well. Its very rude.

A long way of saying "I sympathize". I think the idea of several approaching her outside of class as a unit may be a good answer.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Wow.. she sounds just plain out terrible. Poor thing probably has no clue.

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If I were in your class, I would be wondering why the professor isn't stopping her and telling her to save her comments for after the lecture...

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It seems there is one of these people in every class. In my micro class last semester, there was a girl maybe 19 years old or so. Every disease, parasite, etc the instructor mentioned.....she had a story about it. Usually it involved her grandma. And she would actually ARGUE with the instructor about symptoms, treatment, etc. Puhlease!! Someone asked her where she got her degree and that shut her up pretty fast. I used to record lectures and actually had to hit pause every time she opened her mouth because she would go on for like 10 minutes. I don't need to hear her mouth when I'm trying to redo my notes. Argh! Glad it's over. LOL

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