This pandemic has changed many things in our lives. In the lives of teachers and students alike, this pandemic has also added an extra woe called "online classes". The last few months have seen the rise of online classes everywhere from primary school to universities. In-person classes always had all kinds of students ranging from goody two shoes to the absolute brats. Online classes are no different, though the types may have changed a bit. Let's discover some common categories of students in this new era.  

The "video on" guy

This person will always have his video on during the Zoom class. However, it would focus on anything in his room but his face. On rare occasions when he would actually face the camera, it would be at a strange angle. The worst angle I've seen is a student focusing the camera at his nose, while he was picking his nose!

The mute guy

The opposite of the "video on" guy. This student will always mute his microphone, even when you're asking him questions. He will enter and exit the class silently and will never contribute to the class discussion.

The excuse shop

This type of student will always have excuses ready to deliver for any kind of situation. Whether it is the case of missing a viva voce or not submitting an assignment on time, this person will always come up with ways to defend himself. They're also the philanthropic ones as they not only make up excuses for themselves but also supply their friends when the need arises.

All about the attendance

While many students participate in online classes only for attendance, there is always one person who is extra serious to make sure their attendance is noted. They would interrupt the teacher every five minutes to ask about it. If the teacher puts them on mute, out of annoyance, they will email the teacher after class asking if their attendance has been counted.

The resource hoarder

This one doesn't bother with what is going on in the class. The only thing they care about is when and where the slides and class recordings will be available. They won't let the teacher finish talking before asking about it. They will keep asking for those resources to be supplied immediately as if the world would end if the material is delivered one second late. Another characteristic of this kind of student? They will never study said material.

Adjusting to the new normal has been tough for everyone. The world is changing and so are we. The traditional classroom may have taken a break for the time being. But students, the life of the classroom, are managing to leave their mark even in this new reality.

The writer is a lecturer of CSE at North East University Bangladesh, Sylhet. Reach her at [email protected]