Classrooms are meant to be spaces of learning, exchange, and growth. But when some students choose to prioritize their own conversations over the lesson being taught, it disrupts the entire environment. As a student who recently had to confront this issue head-on, I’ve realized how such behavior not only shows disrespect to the professor, but also undermines the efforts of those genuinely trying to learn.
In one of my classes, four students sitting in front of me were chatting while the professor spoke. Their ongoing conversation made it nearly impossible for me to concentrate. At first, I tried to ignore it, focusing harder on the lecture. But the chatter persisted, their voices cutting through the lecture like static on a clear signal. Frustrated, I raised my hand and said, “for the four people in front of me, please be quiet. I’m trying to listen to the professor and with you holding a conversation it is difficult for me to hear her.” Though it felt awkward to “interrupt” the class myself, I felt it was necessary to restore the environment I needed to learn.
This experience left me reflecting on the broader implications of such behavior. For professors, it’s demoralizing to have their expertise and effort overshadowed by side conversations. For students, it’s a barrier to understanding, especially for those like me who are deeply invested in their education and want to make the most of classroom time.
Additionally, being a person of color who does not have the same privileges and protections like some on this campus, it is mandatory for me to work 10 times harder and listen to what is being put in front of me. I cannot hold a conversation, so why should they be allowed to?
It’s also an issue of privilege. Not every student comes to class with the same resources or support. For many, the lecture is a critical source of information, and missing key points due to distractions can feel like a missed opportunity they can’t afford. When others choose to treat the classroom as a casual space, they undermine the equity that education strives to provide.
Ultimately, classroom behavior is a reflection of respect—for the professor, for classmates and for the learning process itself. While it can be uncomfortable to address disruptive peers directly, it’s a necessary step in creating a culture of accountability. Ideally, institutions and professors should also set clear expectations at the start of the semester and enforce them consistently.
As students, we share responsibility for upholding the integrity of the classroom. Respecting that space ensures that everyone, regardless of background or learning style, has the opportunity to succeed. My hope is that by calling out such behavior, we can foster environments where education is taken seriously—and where everyone’s focus can remain where it belongs: on learning.
We all pay over $4,000 to go to classes and be at this school to get a degree, your side conversation can wait after class. It is not that important nor life threatening to where the conversation needs to take place while the professor is trying to feed us knowledge. Having a side conversation while the professor is talking shows your lack of interest and disrespect towards them and your education.