Ever walk into class and see that the spot you normally sit in is taken? Well, it happens to me all the time, and all I can do is say “Dang nabbit!” I have to get a whole new seat, and it doesn’t even come close to the relationship I had with that last one. We all have those seats in class that we gravitate towards and feel more like home to us, specifically, more like home to our derriere. Here are the pros and cons to where you sit in a classroom.
Back Row
You missed a discussion post? No worries! Take that seat in the back of the class and get started, you overachiever, you!
Pro: The back row is ideal for sleepers, social media users, online shoppers, homework tardiness, and red zone watchers. You can get away with anything back there.
Con: You’re not aware of the professor’s subtle hint about the quiz next week, and if you have bad eyesight (like me) you now have permanent wrinkle lines from squinting.
Front Row
This is the row of students who go to every office hour and will be our future TAs and professors. They are great study partners and have the syllabus on hand for any questions. But unfortunately, they also set the curve.
Pro: You got an A.
Con: Hold the phone! You’re in the splash zone, and if your professor spits when they talk, you’re in for a real treat. Be careful to avoid at least the first two rows, or three, if they are extremely enthusiastic!
Aisle Seat
Have a dentist appointment 45 minutes into class? Don’t stress, you’ll have squeaky-clean teeth in no time; the aisle seat is for you! It’s the perfect getaway when the teacher starts reading from the textbook.
Pro: Extra leg room and elbow space. You can come late or leave early with little distraction to the class or the professor noticing. For those of you with small bladders, it’s easy to go to the restroom and come back without creating a stir.
Con: People have to crawl over you constantly, and you always have to move your backpack and your computer, because there is ZERO walking room in class seating.
Middle Of Class
Have a bunch of friends in the class? Middle seat. Need to make friends for a study group? Middle seat. These are your social people; they are in the class for the long haul. They aren’t leaving early, because they can control their bladder and want to know as many people as possible to get those extra lecture notes on Google docs.
Pro: No one has to walk over you; you can sit with all your friends that you walk-pooled to class with.
Con: You’re stuck. No one allows a middle seat to get up and leave early; you took that responsibility the moment you sat down. Get comfy!
Overflow Seats
That awkward late person in the discussion that doesn’t get table space and has to sit at the perimeter, or the person who sits in the actual aisle of the lecture hall, sprawling their stuff across the floor.
Pro: You wont get called on, because the professor can’t even see you.
Con: You can’t see the professor or the lecture slides. Bring a pillow and just nap through this one. Hope your REM cycle picks up an important note!
If you want my opinion, back row aisle seat is the ideal combination for you and your backseat, mentally and physically.
