Sitting in a classroom on any campus it does not take long to classify individuals into the wide assortment of students an institution holds.

There are “The Shifters,” “The Nappers,” “The Doodlers,” “The Note-takers,” “The Texters” and “The Interested.”

And in my 16 years of attending school, grade school through college, not one of these individuals annoys me more than “The Mumblers.”

Everyone knows this individual unless, of course, you are one.

This is the student who sits toward the back or side of the room and is constantly sighing and mumbling under his or her breath complaining about the course, professor or both.

If you are this person, just leave, you are not doing anyone a favor.

The deep sighs and complaints of how dumb the class is or how ugly the professor is will not change the fact that you will be attending this class for approximately two-and-a-half hours a week for the next 14 weeks.

The truth is the course is not worthless; you simply have a different interest than the professor who is trying to share his or her craft.

I know it may seem difficult to believe, but others in the class may actually be attending to fulfill a graduation requirement or possibly even learn something to further their knowledge for a future career.

And yet, the “The Mumblers” do not end with the students who complain about how bored they are.

This group is extended to the ones who are deeply offended when an assignment is given. This could be a paper, a project or something as simple as a reading, but it is inevitable, as soon as the rubric or page numbers are given the droning “are you serious?” will fall over someone’s lips.

Now, in answer to that question, yes, I am quite certain the professor is serious judging by the portion of the syllabus that clearly states the due date for the paper, project or discussion of the reading.

I understand many times students find their way into courses they are sincerely not interested in.

In my experience, this has happened mostly with general education courses. However, this is not an excuse to openly express your boredom.

As a college student, expect to take general education courses. It is part of the learning process.

And if you feel you are sincerely disinterested in a course you have enrolled in, drop it and find a class that will bring you a greater challenge. It is not too late. The deadline to add courses is Friday. You will be aiding those around you as well as yourself.

Kayleigh Zyskowski is a senior journalism major. She can be reached at 581-7942 or [email protected].