Girls Talking during class is making me mad!!

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 4, 2006

Confront them directly. You've already made then angry, what's the worst that can happen.

Take your concerns to the instructors, as it's hindering your education, but not before you talk to them face to face.

scaredofshots · Oct 4, 2006

Yea I guess I should talk to them but I am on my own because as I said before the other people around me are scared of them due to the FACT that they mean. It shocked me when I heard them ask the girls behind them if their talking bothered them the girls said "NO." I about hit the floor I could not believe it. After listening to all of the gripes and complaints from them just that morning!!!! Now it seems like I am the B___. I really don't want to cause problems but THEY are being a PROBLEM!

rn/writer, RN · Oct 4, 2006

Yea I guess I should talk to them but I am on my own because as I said before the other people around me are scared of them due to the FACT that they mean. It shocked me when I heard them ask the girls behind them if their talking bothered them the girls said "NO." I about hit the floor I could not believe it. After listening to all of the gripes and complaints from them just that morning!!!! Now it seems like I am the B___. I really don't want to cause problems but THEY are being a PROBLEM!

They do this because they can. I hope your instructor does something about the problem. The ideal solution would be to make them sit separately.

As for ticking them off, if you worry about that, you'll be held hostage for the rest of the semester. Sometimes, the healthiest approach is to accept the fact that you're going to rile them and then go for it. One possible choice is to address them during class time. Say, "Excuse me!" in a loud voice. When everyone stops what they're doing and stares at you, look directly at the offenders and say, "I can't hear the instructor over your talking. Please stop." They might not, but at least it puts them on notice that you're not going to crumble in fear in their presence. Your bold move might inspire some of the more lily-livered classmates to show their irritation as well.

This isn't junior high. You shouldn't be robbed of an expensive education because of the actions of a couple of self-centered jabberboxes.

Let us know what happens.

Holly27 · Oct 4, 2006

Well if they are as evil as you say. There really isn't any point in talking to them.(Since sending them a note didn't work) We had the same issue in our class. Depending on the instructor they would tell them to be quiet or else leave. Others didn't pay any mind to them. (This part might sound grade school but if they act the part so be it)

I went to one of the instructors and informed them that a few of the students were having a issue with some of the girls talking in class and it was distracting. I also informed them that a few of us had asked them to stop and they didn't. Well it nipped it in the bud. and I'm sure they knew it was me but who cares! No one would of got on to them if they had kept their mouth shut! I paid money to learn and Im going to learn! PERIOD!

platinum_garb · Oct 4, 2006

oh my! i had to read your post the minute i saw the subject. i thought maybe you were in my theory class. alas, you are in georgia and i am in illinois. lol

there are 3 girls that sit together in nursing theory. none of them wishes to go on any further than LPN (which is fine, of course), and they are VERY vocal about this. whenever we do anything in class that the teacher states is generally an RN duty-but she wishes to teach us so we get a head start-one of the girls in particular gets so snotty about it.

the three of them whisper during note-taking and go on about their children and anything else not pertaining to class. it's hellish if you happen to be sitting within a row or two of them and actually want to *gasp* learn by listening.

someone notified our teacher of this and she makes a comment here or there in class about the "no talking" rule, but it only works temporarily.

it upsets me not only because i want to be able to hear, but also because it bugs me that they think they need to ruin the class for all those around them. :penguin:

prmenrs, RN · Oct 4, 2006

maybe the instructor can help "lean" on them a bit. it really isn't fair for them to mess w/your education. talk to him/her about the problem.

here's an idea. (warn the instructor if you're going to do this) ask several people you know are annoyed w/the chatters to sit w/you sort of surrounding them. when they start up, one of you signals-- "1, 2, 3" and you all turn around and go "shush!!!! as loud as you all can. then turn back and go about your business. ought to be great for shock value and stress relief if nothing else.

mamason · Oct 4, 2006

They do this because they can. I hope your instructor does something about the problem. The ideal solution would be to make them sit separately.
As for ticking them off, if you worry about that, you'll be held hostage for the rest of the semester. Sometimes, the healthiest approach is to accept the fact that you're going to rile them and then go for it. One possible choice is to address them during class time. Say, "Excuse me!" in a loud voice. When everyone stops what they're doing and stares at you, look directly at the offenders and say, "I can't hear the instructor over your talking. Please stop." They might not, but at least it puts them on notice that you're not going to crumble in fear in their presence. Your bold move might inspire some of the more lily-livered classmates to show their irritation as well.
This isn't junior high. You shouldn't be robbed of an expensive education because of the actions of a couple of self-centered jabberboxes.
Let us know what happens.

Yes...I agree....If you call them out on it and draw attention to their behavior, especially in front of the instructor, they just may stop. This way the instructor "may " feel obligated to do something about it. Sounds like some bullying is going on here. :rolleyes:

JentheRN05, RN · Oct 5, 2006

I was never much for keeping my mouth shut when someone did stuff like that. I was on top of the situation before the instructor ever had a chance to.

Simply put - I got fed up, when the girls kept talking and talking I decided I was done with the asking - I was going to tell them, AND make a point doing it.

Not only did I shush them what I did was

Stand up in the middle of lecture - turned to them and loudly said - if you are not here to learn LEAVE because the rest of us are paying for education and your BS is all I'm hearing - and I'm NOT paying you for your BS. So SHUT UP or GET OUT!

I drew attention to myself, to them and to the situation all in one sitting. They shut up and were put on notice on the spot because the instructor said

This is not gradeschool ladies. If you want to waste your money fine - but the rest of the class is here to learn, so if you are not - leave.

One of them stormed out - never to be seen again. Her cohort didn't have anyone to talk to.

By second year - she tried REALLY hard to talk to other people, but no one was listening. Wonder why. She ended up dropping out the following semester because she couldn't hack it.

Try that on for size. Can't hurt and it does ALOT of good. At least it did for me and the other 30 people in my class that graduated last year :)

Good luck - grow a backbone and make a disruption. You'll be glad you did - and so will others.

michar · Oct 5, 2006

I'm not sure why, but I'm surprised to see female bullying going on at this level.

You say they are mean, what will they do if you cross them? What about them makes people afraid?

I don't care what people think, and people (even mean ones) don't intimidate me. It sounds like in this instance the professor would probably be on your side.

In our class they'll be loosing a LOT on participation. Enough to significantly affect their grade.

blueberry21 · Oct 5, 2006

This problem should have been handled immediately by the teacher. If she can hear them, then she should handle it right then. If you had to bring it to her attention because she was not aware of it, then she should have addressed it at the beginning of the next class. It really should not be up to the student to have to deal with these clowns. The teacher is the boss in that classroom. She sets the rules/limits--just like kindergarten--(unfortunately that is no different from what you are talking about here)--the teacher needs to take control. The teacher is the authority here, part of the job of the instructor is to provide an environment that is

conducive for learning.

Good luck, I know what it's like.....

:wink2:

jjg003 · Oct 5, 2006

I like the idea to out them during class!!!!!.... It is your education that is being robbed by these inconsiderate people. DO NOT be afraid to stand up for your education!!!!! If calling them out in class doesn't work take it to the teacher. They obviously have no respect for the profession they are trying to get a education in since they think that class isn't very important. STAND UP FOR YOURSELF BECAUSE NO ONE ELSE WILL!!!!!