[McLynnan]

I'm back in school after many, many years (more years than I want to admit to). What goes on at my community college is unbelievable. Many of the students show up when and if they feel like it. Not only do their cell phones ring, they proceed to carry on long winded conversations and act insulted if the instructor calls them on it. They bring complete meals to class. Sorry, I don't feel like smelling your Taco Bell chimichangas and burritos while I listen to a lecture. Some of them have brought their noisy children, then are angered when asked to remove them from the classroom. A few were incensed to find that the "6 unexcused absences and you're dropped" policy (which I think is very generous)was enforced, and appealed it with success only to continue with their personal policy of attending when they feel like it. In my core courses four of these students failed and are appealing because "they did the best they could". I will be angry if they are passed because it diminishes the hard work of those of us who took this seriously. The instructors are intimidated, sometimes with good reason.

[RightWhale]

it diminishes the hard work of those of us who took this seriously.

Don't feel that way. The prof knows who is for real, and fellow students who care also know. The rest of them are background noise, something our modern society is cursed with. All the way from the radio from the nearby (or not so nearby) car at the stoplight to people talking to themselves at the supermarket, it is something we have to learn to ignore. Serious students recognize each other if they look for each other. Look around. You'll recognize each other.