7 Types of Students in College You'll Spot on Every Campus

1. Sweet Dreamer

Whether you’re in the middle of a 90-minute lecture or walking past a sunny bench outside, you’re bound to see someone catch up on sleep. Sometimes the culprits are hard workers who only have time to rest between back-to-back classes, while others are late-night partiers who are too exhausted to keep their eyes open. The types of students that curl up on indoor library couches can be bothersome because they take up the entire seating area. If you end up sitting close to them, their snoring and potential drooling can also become a real distraction. According to official CDC sleep guidance, getting adequate sleep is essential for student health, but finding a quiet dorm room or study lounge is much better than claiming a public couch. If you feel the urge to sleep on campus, try to find a private area where you won't block fellow students.

Common spots where you will spot the Sweet Dreamer include:

2. Ready to Party

Some students dress like they’re ready to hit the club straight after class. There’s nothing wrong with wearing what you want when you want, but certain outfits are just not practical for a long day of lectures. Deciding to wear four-inch heels when you have to trudge across campus in the snow isn’t the best idea. If you want to wear a tight-fitting dress in the middle of winter, go for it, but expect to feel uncomfortable during a long lab session. Unlike the chronic nap-takers who prioritize comfort above everything else, party-ready students put fashion first no matter the weather.

3. Technology Addict

You’ll be listening to your professor speak when you notice the person in front of you typing furiously on their laptop. You assume they’re taking detailed notes, but on closer inspection, you see that they’re chatting on Facebook. When they get bored of that, they’ll scroll down Tumblr or browse viral memes. Then, the moment their phone buzzes, they immediately switch to texting. Out of all the things they manage to do during a single class hour, paying attention to the lecture is rarely one of them. Developing effective study habits often means putting away digital distractions when class begins.

4. Who?

When midterm and final exam weeks roll around, you are going to see brand new faces in your lecture hall. It is surprisingly common for people to show up on the first day of class and then completely disappear until test day. When professors don’t take strict attendance, some students feel like they don’t need to attend regular lectures. They only show up on testing days and take the rest of the semester off. Of course, they often end up having to retake the course once they flunk for not knowing any of the actual class material.

5. Gourmet Eater

It seems like no one ever settles for a simple sandwich or pre-packaged snack anymore. You might get stuck sitting next to a student who brings a full, fragrant hot meal into a small seminar room and wish you could move your seat. The intense scent can be distracting and might even make you feel lightheaded during a long presentation. On the other hand, if the food smells delicious, it can cause instant stomach jealousy. If that happens to you often, try to carry a small snack in your bag at all times so you aren't caught unprepared when hunger strikes.

6. Smoke and Mirrors

Speaking of student cravings, there are always people who smoke or vape and aren’t afraid to show it. Even if your campus is officially designated as a smoke-free zone, some students will break the rules near building entrances or parking structures. You might not actually see them with a cigarette or joint, but you will definitely smell it when they walk into class late. If you are sensitive to smoke, sitting next to someone who just came from a smoking area for an 80-minute class can be difficult, so choose your classroom seat carefully.

7. Musical Mayhem

It doesn’t matter how fantastic your music playlist is; fellow students generally do not want to hear your songs blasting out of your headphones. Listening to music while walking around campus is completely acceptable, but when you step into a quiet classroom or library reading room, it is time to turn down the volume. Some students become a major distraction by letting audio bleed through their earbuds during quiet study periods. Others don’t even have music playing, but keep high-end headphones like Beats wrapped around their neck purely to show them off.

Quick tips for respectful headphone use in shared spaces:

If you attend college or have spent time on any type of campus, you undoubtedly recognize several of these personalities. Do you fall into any of these categories yourself, or is one of them your ultimate pet peeve?