Here's one way that college campuses have changed a ton in the last fifteen years: the cell phone! Yes, students used to go to their dorm rooms to make a phone call, or even use a pay phone. Today, walk around any campus and you'll see hundreds of Generation Y students talking and texting away.
Is this a bad thing? No, not entirely. Unfortunately, whenever a new technology comes onto the scene, people need to learn a new set of manners. That can take awhile. So, students, here are some common sense tips that will keep you from annoying your professors and your fellow students with your phone.
- Turn off your ringer in class. This is a professor pet peeve because it's very distracting. Turn your phone on vibrate, or hey, just turn it off until class is over. It won't kill you.
- Don't talk on your phone during class. Most students have the sense not to do this-- but only most. How would you feel if someone called your professor during class and she took the call while she was trying to teach you?
- Don't text message in class. This drives professors crazy. This also goes for playing games, checking your email, and and doing anything else with your cell phone when someone's trying to teach you something. Besides, you're not going to be able to take effective class notes when you're distracted.
- Don't annoy people with your ring tone. Unless you're waiting for an important call, keep the volume down. And stay away from ring tones that people might find offensive or annoying.
- Don't annoy your roommate with your cell phone. This is a breach of good roommate etiquette. Again, keep the volume down. And it's not okay for people to call you in the middle of the night, whether it's on a land line or a cell phone. One thing that's cool about cell phones: you can leave the room and talk privately-- so don't subject your roommate to your private conversations.
- Put the phone down and talk to your fellow students. Class ends, and half the class reaches for their cell phones as they walk out the door. It's sad. Take some time to chat with other students and the professor.
- Keep your voice down. This is an important rule for all cell phone users to follow. Talk normally, or your going to drive people crazy. If you're on a bus or other place where people can't get away from you, be especially respectful.
- No cell phones in the library or other designated quiet place. People are trying to study. Be polite!
See also: Green tips for college students
Naomi Rockler-Gladen - Instructional designer and freelance writer, Naomi Rockler-Gladen writes some of Suite101's most read work.
