Front row
Just admit it: if you always sit front row, you probably are a real nerd. You ask questions (even when you sometimes already know the answer), know all self-study material by heart, answer all the professor's questions and probably have at least three different coloured markers with you. Everything the professor says during the lecture is neatly written down in your notes – yes, even their introduction moment. Your fellow students are secretly jealous of you, because you get the highest grades, have everything under control and you are on good terms with the teacher. Or, maybe you just need glasses.
Second and third row
Sitting in the second and third rows are the try-hards, who don't want to come across as try-hards. You work hard, always pay attention, and take your studies seriously, but you really prefer not to be mistaken for a nerd. If you are sitting here, you have found the perfect balance. You take your notes neatly, arrive on time, and occasionally ask a question, but you don't need to have excessive eye contact with the lecturer.
The middle
If you are sitting in the middle, you’ve chosen the safe option. You are motivated and want to pay attention during the lecture, so sitting in the back row is not for you. You like to participate, but not as much as the people in the front of the lecture hall. You take notes when necessary, come prepared (well, usually) and you simply do what you need to do to pass a course.
Back row
Sitting in the back is a very deliberate choice, never just a coincidence. You sit here for any reason but the actual lecture and, above all, don't want to stand out. Some are here to catch up with friends and eat snacks, while others use this spot to do some online shopping or scroll through their phones. There is no one behind you who can see what you are doing and that is exactly why you chose this spot.
Aisle-side
If you sit by the aisle, you are probably an individualist. You value your personal space, don't like being trapped between strangers and prefer having an easy exit route as soon as the lecture is over. Even if you arrive early and the whole row is free, you will still choose the aisle seat. The fact that another 20 students then have to awkwardly shuffle past you to get to the middle of the row, is something you take for granted. Your fellow students, on the other hand, may not appreciate this as much.
A separate category of aisle-sitters are the students who are simply late. With a bit of luck, there is still a free spot at the aisle where you can sit down as discreetly as possible, without making everyone in the row stand up in the middle of the lecture.
Close to the door
Do you often sit near the door? Then you are probably always late. While the lecturer is already halfway through his slides, you are just walking in; but thanks to your strategic seating choice, no one will notice (as long as you don’t make too much noise). An additional benefit of sitting here is that you are also the first to leave when the lecture is over. And you probably also take advantage of this spot sometimes to sneak out early without being noticed.
Everywhere and nowhere
And then there are the students without a fixed seat. One day they’re sitting at the very front, the next day in the middle and yet another day at the aisle. Are they adventurous, restless or just lost? I wouldn’t be able to tell you…
