Lazy Students

Genna Apfel

Here’s a scenario: it’s the last week of classes and finals are approaching. A student in your class turns to you and says, “Do you have the notes for the class and what is the final on?” You can’t help but think this student has lost his mind and it is clear that he  hasn’t paid any attention throughout the whole semester. So you ask yourself, “Is it my responsibility to help this student?

Most people can agree that when it gets to the end of the semester, everyone is mentally and physically exhausted. It seems students have more papers to write and tests to study for than in the beginning of the semester. However, if students are studying hard and giving it their all before the semester ends, it is not fair, nor is it right, to give other students the east way out.

Emily Anker, senior Business Management major said, “I think it is very funny, but annoying at the same time, when a student in a classroom has been there and doesn’t pay attention. When a test comes, they ask for study sheets for the answers when they should be the ones doing the work in the first place. Depending on the excuse the person gives, I personally would not help them out because they are lazy and their grade must reflect upon them, not me.”

Keith Apfel, senior Psychology major and Criminal Justice minor added, “One time, someone on the last day of class asked me for all the notes. I gave them to him because I felt bad. This student was never in class, but if it happened to me again, I wouldn’t give someone my notes because they are old enough to be in college and it is not my responsibility.”

Chelsea Serra, sophomore Environmental Science major said, “I have never had a student ask me for notes for a final, but students have asked me for the answers for a test. I didn’t give them the answers because they need to do the work themselves. They shouldn’t bother other people so they can get an A for the class too. I feel people procrastinate to the point where it’s too late to even start studying, but if they actually did their work on time, they wouldn’t be desperate to ask others for the answers.”

“In some of my classes, people have asked to borrow my notes,” said Samantha Osgood, a junior Sociology major, “I don’t feel bad for them when they are sleeping in class and I am working hard. When they ask, I just say no. It’s different, if they actually need help and don’t understand something, then I will give my notes. ”

It is clear most students do not feel comfortable giving away their notes to others who are, let’s just say plain out, lazy. At this age, people should start acting like college students and do the work on their own, not rely on others for a good grade. What you put in is what you are going to get out. Students should realize they are not always going to get lucky and get something handed to them. It might actually be a good feeling if they did the work on their own, which would result in getting a good grade.