Rules of Class Relations

Rules of Class Relations

The crest of any social or serious gathering is the relationship that each member of the gathering has with one another. This hierarchical series of functional relationship define the way and manner everyone in a group relates with one another. In a classroom there are rules that govern the way students relate with one another. These rules are usually universal and independent of culture, race, tradition and value systems. These rules foster mutual respect and comradeship among teachers and students alike. This makes it possible to define the boundaries that all members of the class must be consciously and unconsciously aware of to prevent unnecessary confrontation, rivalry and irritation.

Know everyone’s name:

This is the grand rule. Strive to know the name of everybody in the class. It will neither be a two weeks tasks nor one month job but as soon as possible, get the name of every person in the class. As a rule of thumb, instead of saying ‘hey’, ‘hello’ or ‘hi’ due to inability to call a classmate by name, walk up to him or her and say  “please, may I know your name?”. It is a good etiquette to start by telling the person your name first before requesting for his or her name. In a setting where everyone is meeting each other for the first time, ample time should be given for introduction and during this session, pay close attention and ensure that you remember as many names as possible. It is so elevating to both the hearer and the speaker when they can both address each other by name. This again is a grand rule, it speeds up the rate at which bonds are formed and the class unites faster.

Know everyone’s status:

In some classes, it is good to address each other based on the status each person has attained in life, education and maturity. When addressing on first name basis, it is usually customary to include the ubiquitous Mr., Mrs. or Miss when addressing each person in a class. Many people find it irritating and downright derogatory to be addressed as anything less than what they really are. Make it a point of duty to know the status of your classmates, teachers and facilitators. A doctorate degree holder may love to be addressed as a doctor and a professor may not be pleased if he is not addressed as a professor. The only exception to this rule is a consensus that the class should address each other exclusively on first name basis.

 Make it a responsibility to greet:

Always greet your classmates and teacher/professor whenever you meet them for the first time in the morning. Greeting in the afternoon or evening may be included but never ignore the soothing effect of an early morning greeting to every member of your class. It makes the atmosphere relaxed and provides ample opportunity for much needed communication to begin effortlessly. It may not be practiced by all and sundry in class but make it a personal responsibility to greet everyone you meet in your class in the morning. It does not have to be done from table to table. A loud “hi all” to the class and a special “hello” or “Good morning” to the professor would do the trick.

Table all grievances immediately:

There is nothing that breaks a chain of friendship and unity like personal grievance and anger caused by the offense of others. As a rule that would be most beneficial for classroom relations, every member of the class should endeavor to make any compliant or issue that they are not comfortable with known the instant it happens. Taking a complaint home without informing the class would make the class sour and could disrupt the flow of unity and brotherhood in the class. The gravity of the offense or issue must not be overlooked. If the offense is such as would need extreme discretion in tackling it, then all parties involved must apply sound wisdom and judgment in dealing with it. Never bottle up your anger at anyone in the class, the teacher inclusive. Speak up with wisdom and let the matter be solved amicably.

Help, help, help:

In a class, there would always be people who would be in need of your assistance from time to time. It is good practice to be willing to help within the limits that the ethics and value system of the class would allow. It is very counterproductive to withhold help from those who need your help in class. This responsibility of assisting and rendering help to other members in the class extends beyond the confines of the classroom and goes as far as the personal lives of everyone in the class. Teachers and professors are not left out of this duty. They are to help their students and be good role models in the act of rendering help to members of the class who are in need of help. Provide help and escalate where necessary.

Play and work  at the right time:

In a class it is very important to know when it is right to play, joke and talk. It is a complete misnomer for jesting and talking to be going on when silence is the thing required for the moment. A class that would achieve its aim, objectives and ultimate goal must learn to play only at the right time. This applies to the due respect every class must give to their teachers, lecturers and facilitators during classes. It is a show of complete disrespect and dishonor to be talking and jesting when a class is going on. The responsibility of knowing when to talk and when to keep quiet must be mastered by every class that wants to get the admiration of its lecturers. For the most part, always maintain a high sense of decorum whenever classes and lectures are going on. Reserve play and jokes to recession period or those special times when it is used to make a drifting class come alive again.

Participate at all times:

Class activities are organized every now and then. It is required as a rule of thumb that every member of the class contributes their quota to making class activities fun and successful. These activities could be co-curricular or extra-curricular but it is imperative that every member of the class partake of the activities organized and run by the class. Whenever projects are given, all members of the class assigned to a project group must participate actively in the projects assigned. Due permission must be sought from the appropriate quarters if absence of any kind would be unavoidable. Never feel too big, never feel too small, never feel untalented, never feel insufficient, everyone in a class must participate actively in all class activities.