Every class seems to have that one student that just can't stay quiet for more than 50 minutes.
From texting to actually having quiet conversations on their cell phones, some students just can't control their annoying habits.
Brittany Conyers, junior in communication, admits that she may be an annoying student.
"I've texted during a whole class," Conyers said. "I just couldn't pay attention."
Although she confesses that she can be annoying with her texting habits, Conyers finds those who constantly ask questions throughout a class more annoying.
"They'll ask a million questions that aren't important," Conyers said. "It doesn't help when they have an annoying voice."
Elizabeth Gattis, junior in early childhood education, finds classmates who are playing games on their computers the most frustrating.
"They are constantly fiddling with something," Gattis said. "They can't possibly be paying attention."
Gattis admits that she is also guilty of texting throughout an entire class, but didn't think she was annoying anyone. She said people constantly interrupting class with their opinions would be considered more annoying. Professor Gerard Gryski in the Department of Political Science doesn't classify those who speak out in class as being annoying.
"One whose phone rings (is annoying)," Gryski said. Conyers has never had her cell phone ring in class, but said she has had her texting sound go off loudly. She recommends texting with the cell phone on silent as a way to prevent becoming annoying. "I hate it when people keep their phone on vibrate," Conyers said. "They'll constantly text and won't turn it off. The noise can drive a person crazy." Gryski has had to confront many students concerning their behavior in class dealing with cell phones.
"You have to insure the integrity of the class and the interests of all students," Gryski said.
Conyers said she thinks the classroom size seems to affect the amount of annoying students within a classroom.
"The bigger the class, the more people don't pay attention (to the teacher)," Conyers said.
Unlike Conyers, Gattis thinks smaller classes cause more annoying students because they feel as though more people are willing to listen to their opinions.
Gryski disagrees with both students and said he thinks it has more to do with the student than the classroom, although he said he was never an annoying student himself.
Even though Conyers and Gattis are both guilty of being annoying students with their constant texting, their biggest pet peeve are students falling asleep in class.
"If someone can't stay awake I don't know why they come to class," Conyers said. "Especially when there's no attendance policy."
Gattis said she would rather someone pay attention than do something else that could distract other students in the class.
"Not paying attention can be the most annoying (thing someone does)," Gattis said.
For those who want to stop annoying classmates, the biggest advice is to stay off your cell phone and stay awake.
Paying attention can pay off big for both students and teachers not only in grades, but also in happiness.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
