It’s 9 a.m. and you sit down in your first class of the day. The sounds of backpacks unzipping, papers rustling and keyboards clacking fill the room. The class settles down as the stoic presence of your professor enters. Unlike the rowdy atmosphere of a public high school classroom, the college lecture hall is still and quite apart from your professor’s voice.
At times classroom discussion is encouraged and maybe even some banter ensues between professor and students, often as an effort towards comradery. Sometimes a professor may even attempt to slip a joke into the lecture or include a meme in a PowerPoint. We’ll admit some professors are genuinely funny. Though many are not. Let’s talk about it.
Awkward Silence
We all know the feeling. Your professor cracks a joke in a silent auditorium. A fake laugh is mustered from the back row but for the most part silence. You look to the classmate nearest to you, whether you know them or not, and exchange facial expressions of mutual agreement. That was not funny. You can tell your professor knows it too. Silence lingers and phones are slowly pulled out of pockets. Depending on the size of your class you may even be able to hear their awkward gulp of acceptance before they move on to the more relevant class material. If they’re brave they will try again and this time may even crack themselves up to the point that you do laugh. Not necessarily at the joke itself but it’s a snip bit of entertainment that passes the time.
To Laugh or Not to Laugh
Despite the awkward silence, our professors are entitled to our attention, not our laughs. Obviously, if something is funny you laugh. A classroom that feels lighthearted and inviting to humor can make even the most dreadful subjects somewhat entertaining. But you are not obligated to force a chuckle especially if the joke is painfully unfunny or even borderline offensive. A blank stare or even a slight squint usually sends the message that it’s time to move on.
Classroom Absurdity
There are rare occurrences when something just truly absurd or bizarre happens in your classroom that makes you pause and check for hidden reality TV cameras. These instances can be big or small. Whether it be a confessional tangent about your professors “good ole days,” catching a classmate picking their nose, or even a muffled fart from an unknown culprit. These moments must be laughed at. Allowing yourself to laugh in the classroom makes it more fun!
Let VALLEY know your funniest classroom moments or your least funny professors @VALLEYmag on all socials!
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