We all know the rules of high school. No phones. No iPods. No laptops. Strict clothing restrictions. Often, we couldn’t even have chewing gum. It was a bombardment of things we couldn’t do. Seldom were we told what we could do, and what we could have.

But guess what folks, this isn’t high school anymore. This is college.

Land of the free, where gum is allowed in class. There is no dress code. Laptops are often a great idea. And yes, cell phones are often allowed. I personally have had few professors who restrict cell phone use when it becomes a problem.

But here’s where we have to draw the line.

Just because cell phone use is allowed in class, should we use them?

The answer to this question is very flexible. Studios and other courses that involve selfgoverning projects make cell phone use very acceptable and beneficial. The students, since they are not working with their professor or other classmates, will not disrupt anything but their own work by the use of cell phones. Furthermore, they can often use their internet browsers to generate project ideas.

However, courses that are designed around a lecture make cell phone usage very impractical. Students cannot focus as easily on a speaker or presentation if they are distracted by other sources of technology and entertainment. There have been times where I’ve stopped listening to a professor because I was distracted by something that I had pulled up on my phone. With this in mind, I can see why cell phones usage should be restricted in a classroom setting. Without cell phones, students would have a better chance of being able to concentrate in class.

Of course, this is but a general observation. While professors have the final say on the use of cell phones in their classes, it is also up to the individual students to decide whether or not it’s appropriate.

So be thoughtful, be considerate and do whatever you need to do in order to learn in your courses. But remember, this is college. If your professors don’t mind, you can use your phones if you’d like.