Process

Watching students gather for class, I can see a pattern. First, the students who are 30 minutes to an hour early camp out in front of the classroom. Some pick a seat, slump over and go to sleep. Some read, frantically trying to make up for work they didn't do the week before. Some plug themselves in to their Ipod, and just stare into space. About 10-15 minutes before class, most of the students begin to arrive, taking the last available seats, then the floor closest to the door of their classroom, then standing. They rarely talk. Many times it is quieter than a library.
Finally, the teacher arrives, opens the door and they pour into the classroom. A few stragglers come in right at the time class begins.

I often wonder about the really early arrivals. Why are they there so early? Do they have to get rides? Are they limited to certain kinds of transportation that makes them come so early? Sometimes the Ipod drones give me the creeps. That vacant stare as they listen to music make it seem like they are getting a fix rather than enjoying the lyrics or the composition.