Allow me to set the scene for you: we’re in history class, taking notes and having a grand ole’ time. Everyone is typing up a storm, except that one guy in the back. Now why is that, you must be asking yourself? He forgot his computer charger. Students, as well as teachers, use our reliance upon technology as an excuse instead of an advantage. These days, if you don’t have your computer or charger, you’re apparently doomed. I can’t quite fathom the reasoning behind these arguments. We all lived in the days of pen and paper; we know how to use them. However, students feel it is an apt excuse for sitting in class staring off into space. It is not the responsibility of the teachers to provide a charger for every student who forgot his or her own. And yet, kids feel it appropriate to lay the blame at their feet. Just like in the past, if you’re unprepared for class, it’s your own fault. Nevertheless, students fail to see this, and end up wasting the time of every one of their classmates arguing with the teacher. If you’re unprepared and unwilling to work, don’t even bother showing up. However, it is not only the students at fault here. Teachers occasionally use this excuse as well. If something goes wrong or they can’t find what they’re looking for in their computer, they end up wasting our time as well. I know things don’t always go as planned, but you should be prepared for the lesson as a teacher and prepared for class as a student. As students, our main job is making it to graduation; and wasting time is dampening everyone’s efforts. As teachers, you’re getting paid, so a little more preparedness wouldn’t hurt anyone. To be successful, you have to be prepared and organized. So why not start now instead of later?