What to do when you're in the wrong classroom... and class just started.

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It’s bound to happen to you. You arrive at class early, grab a prime seat, start up conversations with the students on either side of you. Then, the professor starts class and you realize: this is not my English class. This is Advanced Calculus. What to do now? If you’re a fellow sufferer of crippling social awkwardness, here’s your plan:

1. Stay Calm.

Ok. Admittedly, this is bad. It’s not terrible just yet. Don’t give it away -- try to blend in. Do you see anyone else looking around frantically? Blend in and evaluate. It’s important to not be called on or called out. Your preparation for your first semester didn’t include anything about this.

2. Decide: is this a happy accident?

Maybe you were fated to take Advanced Calculus. After all, you never really considered the class before. This could be fate. Maybe you could change your major. Perhaps there is no cause for panic after all.

3. Yeah, no. This is a terrible mistake.

There was actually a reason why you wanted to be in English and not Advanced Calculus. You don’t know how to do this. Why are there more letters than numbers? Suspicion confirmed: this is the wrong class.

4. Avoid eye contact.

It’s important to keep your heart rate steady and not looked panicked. Those friends you made earlier? They are no longer classroom buddies. It’s time to sneak away without them noticing and forget that they ever existed.

5. Be subtle.

Look for the exits. Stretch and yawn. Are they behind you? Is there any way to pretend you’re going to the bathroom? Do you really need that laptop or backpack anyway? Coats are definitely overrated. Can anything be left behind? Check your phone. Where should you be right now? Oh, 2114, not 1214. Awesome.

6. Wait for a break.

Timing is everything. You must be prepared to dash off when there is a break in the class or content or the professor talking. Constant vigilance is the name of the game now.

7. Make a break for it.

The time is now. Don’t trip. Grab everything. Forget the scarf. It’s left behind. You will never see it again.

8. Find your correct class.

Let’s try this again.

9. Share.

You survived. It’ll be funny in 5 minutes. You can just tell people you did it for the Vine.

Even when you’re in the right classroom, college can be a bumpy experience. That’s why American Honors has dedicated advisors to help you every step of the way (and to help you find the right classes.)

Media Credit: Giphy.com

Authored by Kate Hunger

Kate helps students find their best fit school. She writes about the essential, surprising, and sometimes funny questions everyone has while applying to college.