To the students of this fine establishment:

I, like many of you, am making my way through college on my own. I'm taking out the loans, dishing out money for food, books, clothes, gas and the occasional, albeit necessary, beer. Well, perhaps two, maybe three, beers. I'm on my own, and by next spring I will be in the hunt for a job to pay back all those loans. My mom and dad aren't paying for this education, unlike many of you, whose parents are. There are 24 hours in a day, 168 hours a week. Monday through Friday, your class schedule probably takes up at least four of those, give or take a few.

This being said, I don't know what's so vitally important that many, but not all, students insist on carrying on a conversation while a professor is trying to do his or her job: To teach you what they know, so that one day you, too, can have a fruitful life.

So, do yourselves, your classmates and me a favor. Shut your piehole, and save the gab for the evenings and weekends.

Show some respect for those who actually want to learn something instead of wasting your parents hard-earned money (and time), as well as your own.