Where have all the considerate people gone?

Ok, that's overly dramatic, but I just wanted to briefly express my dismay at the lack of consideration and respect for others that I have witnessed recently while proctoring exams at the law school. (Do keep in mind this is not intended to be a jab at law students generally -- they just happen to be the latest offenders to have crossed my path).

So I understand that finals are a stressful time (believe me, I can relate) and that students pour a lot of time and energy into studying for their exams so that when they're done, they want to shout and scream and celebrate, or just talk to the person next to them about what they thought of the test.

I have no problem with that, but DO IT OUTSIDE.

In these laptop exams, there are always at least a few students who encounter technical difficulties along the way, so we give them extra time. It's fair -- after all, who can't relate to the stress of having your computer freeze while in the middle of an essay? When the exam ends, we ask everyone to stop typing, save their work, etc, etc. AND we ask them to please be quiet since others are still trying to finish.

Apparently, this falls on deaf ears because I have found myself asking students over and over again to please not talk until they go outside. And by over and over again, yes, I mean sometimes the same students. Why do people insist on believing that rules don't apply to them? I don't care if you're not talking about the exam -- that's not the point. It's just inconsiderate and disrespectful to your peers who are trying to work. And, what makes you think yelling across the room or laughing loudly constitutes being quiet?

Oh, and one other tip if I'm proctoring your exam and you don't want to see me grumpy after -- clean up your crap. Grrr.