As we finally settle back into a new semester, college students will, among other things, start making friends and connections in class. As you get to know some of these people, you pick up on how they act in class. I've been in classes with 10 people, with 50 people, one class had more than 100. No matter what the class size, you're guaranteed to have someone who meets the criteria of someone on this list.
The Energetic One
To start off, I'm going to talk about the type of student that I've been told that I am: the energetic one. This one has a natural sense of energy that they bring to class every day. This can be a curse in your early morning classes (sorry to my freshman year Communications class), but it can also be a blessing. This student always delivers attention grabbing presentations, which is something I personally appreciate. Nobody really likes sitting through presentations, so I enjoyed having one of my more energetic classmates brighten the mood during their time at the podium. Also, when you're struggling through a group project, having a reliable source of energy to help you power through.
The Funny One
A funny classmate may seem like the same as an energetic one, but there are a few small differences. However, it is worth noting that the energetic and funny classmates tend to get along.
You could be halfway through class, just wanting a slight break, and then the funny classmate makes their move. They crack some wise joke pertaining to the lesson, everyone laughs, and your day just gets that much better. For the most part, the professors will even enjoy having this person in class, because it shows that they've captured at least one students' attention. As long as the students don't go overboard, everything will be fine.
Having a funny classmate will (obviously) be a blessing when it comes to presentations, group work, and study sessions.
The No-Show
This student comes in two forms: The Genius and the Lost One.
The Genius No-Show is someone who has a general understanding of the material. Therefore, they don't always see the need to come to class. They'll show up for tests, turn in assignments, and occasionally sit through lectures. This can, however, be detrimental in smaller classes where attendance and participation matter. Word of advice: go to class. Get the extra 5 participation points.
The Lost No-Show is someone who only shows up for tests while getting notes and homework answers from a friend. The obvious downside of this is that they don't get the actual experience of being in the class. They won't be prepared for the final exam or project, which could cost them a good grade.
Don't be this student. Go to class.
The Pre-Med/Law/Vet Student
As implied, this student is enrolled in a pre-professional program during their undergraduate years. Not only do they need good grades in order to earn their bachelor's degree, but the grades they earn will also determine their eligibility for enrollment in graduate. If the class you're in with this student counts for their degree (for example, organic chemistry for most science/health programs), you can guarantee they're doing everything in their power to get the grade they need. After classes are done for the day, the library becomes their second home until 3:00 in the morning.
The Know-It-All
Obviously, the main point of being in a class is ultimately being able to understand the material. In most classes, participating and answering questions will benefit you. However, nobody likes the Know-It-All student. This student dominates the class (even the huge lectures) and won't let others get a word in edge-wise. Think Hermoine Granger, but a lot less likable.
The Silent Storm
The Silent Storm is the student who, while very quiet, turns out to be among the top students in the class. While they might not be the most vocal in class, but when homework gets turned in, or the big test rolls around, their grade is in the top percentage. This goes to show that nobody should be underestimated.
How do your lectures match up? Is there anybody that I forgot?