We file into classrooms for the obligatory 50 or 75- minute classes during the week to, in theory, listen to professors and absorb information.

Many of us also tote laptops – again, in theory-to take down their pearls of wisdom. But it takes no more than a cursory glance around most classrooms to see that this often isn’t what is being done.

All students surely are familiar with what we’re talking about: a girl two rows ahead of you is updating her Twitter status “bored in econ!!!”, the guy next to you is stalking an ex via Facebook, and your friend is texting upward of 15 people before the lecture is halfway over.

Harmless, right? Well, considering that not one of these people mentioned is paying attention to the professor, I’d have to say, “yes.”

If you fall into any of these categories and want to do well in school, you will have to sacrifice more time out of class to make the same grades as students listening to the lecture.

This can mean scrambling to learn on your own the concepts neatly outlined in class.

This can mean not catching a movie with roommates.

It also can mean spending money at a bookstore for student notes as you cram for exams instead of on a meal downtown with friends.

You are sacrificing quality time with friends – part of what makes college life so enjoyable – for watered-down, pseudo-social communication.

If this problem only pertained to you, I wouldn’t raise the issue. You’re an adult now and are beyond the days of being babied by teachers or peers. But realize that your choice to surf, text, and chat the class away is less personal that you think.

You probably feel that you’re a considerate individual.

You wouldn’t ignore grandmom across the dinner table. You wouldn’t e-mail while your friends are recounting their latest existential crisis. Really, you wouldn’t give anyone that you respect less than your full, undivided attention.

So why is this behavior acceptable now?

Your teachers have spent hours preparing the day’s lecture, and your response is to seek some cyberspace refuge until they have quit babbling?

Enough. You are free to resume battling your intergalactic cyber-nemesis after class is over. But for now, it is time to quit sending the message that you find this class and the people in it insignificant. Because, whether you realize it or not, that is exactly what you are communicating.

You essentially are saying that the classroom discussion is beneath you, and it’s likely your constant computer clicking or cell phone vibration is distracting those around you.

If attendance policies mandate your presence in class, why not pay attention so you can spend the rest of your time doing what you want and letting others do the same?

- Margaret Atkinson is a senior from Memphis, Tenn., majoring in newspapers