Bruh, What Is My Classmate On? Making Sense of Weird Classroom Behavior
We’ve all been there. You’re trying to focus on the lecture, maybe zoning out a little, and then… whoa. Your classmate in the next row does something completely unexpected. Maybe they giggle uncontrollably at a dead-silent moment, stare intensely at a blank wall for ten minutes straight, suddenly jerk awake like they’ve been electrocuted, or start muttering to themselves like they’re deep in conversation with an invisible friend. Your brain immediately short-circuits: “Bruh… what is my classmate on?”
That moment of baffled observation is super common. Seeing someone act strangely in a space where everyone’s usually trying to blend in (or at least not stand out that much) is jarring. It triggers curiosity, concern, maybe even a touch of nervous laughter. But jumping straight to assuming they’re “on” something – drugs, medication, or whatever else your brain conjures – is often skipping a lot of steps. Let’s unpack what might really be going on and how to approach it without being, well, judgy.
First: The Not-So-Dramatic Explanations (Way More Common Than You Think)
Before we even think about substances, consider the mundane realities of student life:
1. The Sleep Deprivation Zombie: This is the reigning champion of weird classroom behavior. Pulling an all-nighter for an essay, cramming for an exam, binge-watching a series, or just chronic insomnia can turn anyone into a space cadet. Symptoms include: sudden head-bobs towards the desk, glazed-over eyes that seem to look through the professor, delayed reactions (“Huh? What page?”), micro-sleeps causing jerky movements, and an overall aura of being barely conscious. They aren’t high; they’re running on fumes. Bruh, they might just need a nap, not an intervention.
2. The Over-Caffeinated Jitterbug: On the flip side, someone who downed three energy drinks or a quadruple espresso on an empty stomach to combat sleep deprivation can be equally perplexing. Watch for: excessive fidgeting, shaky hands, rapid blinking, talking way too fast or interrupting, seeming restless in their seat like they have ants in their pants. It’s not uppers; it’s just too much caffeine way too fast.
3. The Deep Thinker / Daydreamer: Some people genuinely get lost in their own thoughts. They might be puzzling over a complex concept from last week, planning their weekend, replaying an awkward conversation in their head, or just creatively zoning out. This can result in staring into the middle distance with a vacant or intensely focused expression, seemingly oblivious to the current discussion. Their “what are they on?” might just be a fascinating internal monologue.
4. The Stress Monster: Anxiety, overwhelming deadlines, personal problems – stress manifests physically and mentally. Someone super stressed might: bite their nails raw, tap their pen incessantly, bounce their leg like a jackhammer, sweat noticeably, look pale or flushed, avoid eye contact, seem jumpy or easily startled, or even have quiet tears welling up. It looks weird, but it’s often just the brain and body screaming under pressure.
5. Medical Stuff (The Non-Substance Kind): Conditions like ADHD can involve noticeable fidgeting, difficulty focusing, seeming restless, or impulsive comments. Tourette Syndrome might involve involuntary tics (movements or sounds). Seizure disorders can sometimes have subtle precursors that look odd. Low blood sugar (especially if they skipped breakfast) can cause dizziness, sweating, shakiness, and confusion. These aren’t about being “on” something external; it’s their neurology or physiology doing its thing.
6. Just… Quirky: Let’s be real, some people are naturally eccentric. They might have unique mannerisms, unconventional responses, or a different sense of social cues. What seems bizarrely out of place to you might just be their baseline personality. Bruh, the world needs interesting characters!
Okay, But What If It Might Be Substance-Related?
Sometimes, the behavior does align more closely with potential substance influence. It’s important not to jump to conclusions, but recognizing potential signs can be part of assessing if someone needs help. Remember these are potential indicators, not proof:
Alcohol: Smell of alcohol (sometimes masked), slurred speech, unusually loud or inappropriate comments, drowsiness, poor coordination, flushed face.
Marijuana: Distinct smell (often skunky or herbal), bloodshot eyes, delayed reaction time, fits of giggling or seeming overly relaxed/apathetic (“couch-lock”), increased appetite (“munchies”), sometimes paranoia or anxiety.
Stimulants (e.g., Adderall without prescription, cocaine, meth): Excessive energy/alertness, rapid talking, dilated pupils, extreme focus followed by a crash (lethargy, irritability), jitteriness, decreased appetite, potential paranoia or erratic behavior.
Downers (e.g., Xanax, opioids): Marked drowsiness, slurred speech, “nodding off” (head drooping, eyes closing), poor coordination, slowed breathing, constricted pupils (opioids), appearing unusually calm or detached (“zombie-like”).
Hallucinogens (e.g., LSD, mushrooms): Dilated pupils, altered perception (staring intensely at patterns, walls, or lights), seeming disconnected from reality, unusual emotional responses (laughter, anxiety, awe), potential confusion.
“Bruh, What Do I Do?” Navigating the Situation
Seeing something concerning raises the big question: do you do anything? And if so, what?
1. Check Your Assumptions: Remind yourself of all the non-substance reasons listed above. Is their behavior truly alarming, or just momentarily odd?
2. Assess Urgency & Safety:
Immediate Danger? If they seem like they might hurt themselves, pass out, have a seizure, or are in clear medical distress (e.g., difficulty breathing, unresponsive), get help immediately. Tell the professor discreetly, call campus security/emergency services. Don’t hesitate.
Not an Emergency, But Concerning? If the behavior is persistent, escalating, or clearly disruptive and linked to potential substance use, consider if you need to act beyond just observing.
3. Your Options (If Not an Emergency):
Leave it be: For one-off, mildly weird moments, this is often the best choice. Everyone has off days. Don’t gossip or make them feel worse.
Check in (If Appropriate): Only if you have a reasonably friendly relationship. Between classes, say something casual and concerned, not accusatory: “Hey, you seemed kinda out of it earlier? Everything okay?” or “You looked really stressed in there, man.” Focus on wellbeing, not speculation. They might open up about stress or lack of sleep, or they might brush it off. Respect that.
Talk to Someone (Responsibly): If you’re genuinely worried about their health or safety over time, or if their behavior is disruptive:
Resident Advisor (RA): If you live in dorms, RAs are trained for this.
Counseling Center: They can offer guidance or resources.
Academic Advisor/Trusted Professor: Discreetly express concern for the student’s wellbeing. Frame it as “I’m worried about [Name], they haven’t seemed themselves lately and seemed really [describe behavior – exhausted, confused, distressed] in class.”
Anonymity: Many campuses have anonymous reporting systems for concerns about student wellbeing.
4. What NOT to Do:
Confront them publicly: This is humiliating and unhelpful.
Spread rumors: Gossip hurts and doesn’t solve anything.
Assume you know exactly what’s going on: You rarely have the full picture.
Enable: Don’t cover for them if they’re missing assignments or disrupting class due to substance-related issues. Boundaries are important.
The Bottom Line
The next time you find yourself thinking, “Bruh, what is my classmate on?”, take a breath. It’s natural to be curious or concerned when someone acts unexpectedly. More often than not, the explanation is rooted in the exhausting, stressful, caffeine-fueled, sleep-deprived, or uniquely human reality of being a student – not in illicit substances. Practice empathy, consider the less dramatic possibilities, and know the responsible ways to respond if you truly feel someone might be in trouble. Sometimes the weirdest behavior just needs understanding, not a diagnosis.
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