by Rohan Jolly

Created on: January 15, 2010

Having attended two different Universities in two separate countries, I have experienced both kinds of college professors. Personally I feel the most important tool to aid learning or anything for that matter is a good eight hours of sleep, and that's why I spent most of my time fulfilling that requirement in all my morning classes. However on a more serious note, I have never really seen any real need to possess a laptop in any of my classes, either in engineering or in Commerce. The most important requirement is as highlighted above, to be well rested and mentally ready to process all the input received in class.

The main use a laptop is put to in most classes is the gross misuse of the university's Wi-Fi system. While being entertained enough to stay awake might seem like a reasonable benefit, it hardly adds to anything extra learned or gained from the lesson. Most college professors are well aware of this and perhaps the only reason why they allow this is because at least they can pretend that you are busy taking notes or furiously searching for extra insight on the relevant topic on the Internet. Plus it sure looks better than having heads on the desk happily snoring away. Believe you me that there are students who will attend every class, sit front row center and sleep from the first five minutes onwards till the class is dismissed.

Telling a professor you need you laptop to study effectively in class is as convincing as telling your parents you need a laptop for your studies. The only reason they give in to you, assuming they do, is not because they don't know better but because you are starting to become bothersome now. I suppose one cannot expect any maturity from the student population hence the professors must be entirely responsible for getting them out of university with a pass(hopefully). Every now and then someone will emerge who has a genuine desire to use the laptop for academic reasons. Such a person is like a needle in a haystack and must be ignored for the benefit of all the other idiots who think that the laptop sole purpose is entertainment.

If we are to ensure our graduates finish their course with a pass, the professors must deny them certain luxuries like the laptop, if only for their own good. It is in no way essential and hardly ever used appropriately in class. For the best results, get a good night's sleep and pay attention in class. You don't need the laptop to do that, do you?

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