The 6 Types of People You’ll Always Find in a University Class

 

Earlier this week, my class rep posted the picture we took as a class at our final year dinner before we left school. Looking at the picture, I couldn't help but smile as I reminisced about everyone’s unique personality. Each person had their distinct character, and it was just so nostalgic to remember who they were and how they contributed to the vibrant mix that was our university life. The characters we met during those years shaped so many of our memories, and looking back now, I can’t help but think of the types of people we all encountered in every class.

 

University classes are a melting pot of personalities, each student bringing their own quirks and chaos to the table. If you've ever been to a lecture, you’ve definitely encountered at least these six types of people. Whether you love them or can't stand them, you can’t deny they’re a crucial part of your campus life. 

 

1. The “I Know the Answer to Everything” Student

This person will answer every question the lecturer asks—even the ones that were never actually directed at the class. They seem to have a direct line to the universe's knowledge and are somehow always prepared, even when no one else has their notes open. They don’t raise their hand; they just blurt out answers like a walking Google search. And somehow, they always (well, almost always) manage to break down the most complicated topics into the simplest terms, leaving the rest of us wondering, Why didn’t I think of that? or How on earth did they come up with that explanation? This person either has an unofficial degree in everything or is just pretending to know more than the lecturer.

 

2. The “Backbencher”

This person or in most cases, people is always seated at the back of the class—always—and for a good reason: They believe that the further they sit from the lecturer, the less likely they are to get called on. They’re usually seen slouching in their chair, fiddling with their phone, or talking to their friends. They’re usually the noise makers in class And when the lecturer calls on them? Cue panic mode. The backbencher’s strategy is clear: stay as far from the front as possible and pray that the lecturer doesn’t throw a pop quiz.

 

But let’s be real, they’re the ones who always seem to know about the next campus event or gossip, which is probably why they’re popular in class. They don’t even need to study—information just seems to find them.

 

3. The Reporters

They’re not the class reps, they don’t sit in front, and you’ll rarely hear them speak during lectures—but somehow, they know everything. These are the silent informants, the behind-the-scenes agents. Their identities remain a mystery, but their presence is always felt—usually through a sudden announcement from the department or a surprise visit from a lecturer with a list of “offences.”

 

In my class, we called them “the reporters.” They were known for carrying class matters to the department—and on some wild days, straight to the VC’s office. One minute you're casually joking about a lecturer’s absence, the next, there's a memo about students "lacking respect." We never found out who they were, but they had a knack for stirring trouble at the worst times. Love them or not, the reporters kept things interesting—and just a bit dramatic.

 

4. The “Overly Enthusiastic Note-Taker”

This person’s notebooks are a masterpiece—a semester’s worth of bullet points, colorful highlighters, and hand-drawn diagrams and charts that could easily rival a graphic designer's portfolio. They’re the ones who jot down everything the lecturer says, even if it’s not remotely important.

 

Meanwhile, the rest of us are frantically scribbling down what actually matters. This person is convinced that if they don’t write down every single word, they’ll miss out on the most crucial part of the lecture. But let’s be real, they probably have the cleanest, most organized notes on campus.

 

I had a classmate like that, and my friends used to call her notes “The Book of Life.” It was massive, and she wrote every single thing in it—no detail was too small. I still wonder how she managed to carry it around.

 

5. The “Notice Me” Squad

This group—often made up of girls—is impossible to miss. They walk into the class like it’s a runway, talking loudly, laughing even louder, and somehow getting involved in things that don’t really concern them. They always manage to grab attention—whether it’s from the students, the lecturers, or even the random passerby who just peeked into class. They have a mysterious ability to end up in front of the class, either because a lecturer calls them up or because they’ve made themselves the center of attention. 

 

You’ll find them strutting confidently, sometimes even climbing on chairs or tables for no clear reason, and occasionally dressed just a little too boldly for an 8am lecture. But here’s the twist: behind all that drama, they’re usually the sweetest people. Need help with an assignment? Forgot your ID card? One of them probably knows—and will help you without blinking. Loud, lively, and lowkey lifesavers.

 

6. The Ghost

They’re on the class WhatsApp group, you see their name on the attendance list, but no one’s actually sure they exist. You never see them in class, they never show up for group work, and yet, they magically appear on the graduation list. You might meet them once during a test and then poof—they disappear again like vapor. How are they passing? Who are their friends? Where do they stay? No one knows. Legends, honestly

 

Every university class has its unique mix of personalities. Whether you’re the one in the front row taking notes like a pro, the one in the back texting your friend about lunch plans, or the one who needs an extra hour of sleep, these characters make campus life... well, interesting.

 

So, which one of these students are you? Or maybe you’re all of them on different days? Whatever the case, university wouldn’t be the same without these colorful personalities. Let us know in the comments which one you relate to most—or if you’ve met any new campus characters that we missed!

…..Sweet Lilian