With Halloween approaching, I have seen some pretty scary things around campus. When it comes to ghosts, goblins and creepy clowns, I am very easily spooked. But I have to say the most frightening thing I’ve witnessed is the lack of manners shown by my peers.

For some reason, I came to this school with the assumption that I would be surrounded by well-behaved individuals. I dreamed of a world where middle school attitudes were no more – a world where students cared about their classes and respected their professors. Because this is not a utopia, that was obviously a ridiculous expectation. Compared to other institutions, SMU truly does have an exceptionally driven student body.

There are, however, a large number of students who must not realize that college is optional. If you’re going to act a fool and complain every step of the way, then please consider a different career plan. Let me give you a few examples of the ridiculous things I’ve seen in class. Starting with the least offensive, I have to point out the laptop situation.

When your eyes are glazed over and you spend the entire class period scrolling instead of typing on your MacBook, your professor knows you aren’t taking notes. I’m sure he would understand if he knew you had so much online shopping to catch up on, but because he can’t see the screen he is probably assuming you are on Facebook, which is just rude. He may get the hint when you whisper-yell “do you think these shoes will work for winter?” to the girl next to you. But just to be safe, surfing the web should probably be avoided.

Another favorite of mine would have to be just casually chatting with friends during class.

I missed an entire lecture in economics the other day because the girls behind be were talking the entire time and I could not hear a single word my professor said.

This was particularly strange to me because there is no attendance for this class. Really, if you’re not going to pay attention then you don’t have to come. Also, how many times does my Spanish professor have to tell this girl she can’t use her iPad before she finally decides that it wouldn’t kill her to use her actual textbook instead of the online version? Something that students think will really get them ahead is condescending questions. “Do we really have a test next Monday?” This is not a joke. It was an actual question asked by a real live student.

Um, yes, we really do have a test next Monday. It’s been in the real syllabus since the semester began and it’s probably going to be on real paper with real questions in a real classroom. And hopefully it will be really hard for you, because you deserve to fail after questions like that. I have saved my most horrifying story for last.

Just yesterday, a lovely young man began loudly packing up his belongings five minutes before class was over. He then proceeded to slowly make his way to the door. Then, he leaned on the door for the next few minutes until he finally decided that things were wrapping up enough for him to leave.

And because he casually dismissed himself, a few others decided they should too. In what world is this okay? I could honestly turn that whole scene into an award winning horror film. So kudos to the few SMU students who are attempting to make this Halloween extra spooky. I’m really hoping this world without manners is just one big practical joke.

Thrall is a sophomore majoring in journalism.