One colleague chose a place in the front, to have a good view on the board. Another colleague wanted to sit in the back, preferably on the side, to have a good overview of everything that is happening. 

I joined the presentation on the Industrial Design master. In the back. And many others with me. Force of habit? I used to hope that teachers would overlook me in the back. Naive, yes. But during the Open Day, this spot also had a practical reason: it allowed me to ensure that latecomers would enter through the back door of the lecture hall to minimize interrupting the presentation.

At the same time, it was also a great place to observe all the visitors. Students who waved surprised at classmates they just discovered among the audience. A girl on crutches, with friends carrying her belongings and making room for her in an aisle seat. A student scrolling on his phone. Students who came with their parents. 

At the end of the evening, I take the train home. On the platform, I walk past the scrolling student from earlier this evening. I greet him, though I suspect he doesn't recognize me (because I was sitting in the back). But he greets me back, simultaneously disproving two of my assumptions: yes, even in the back they can see you, and no: doing things on your phone does not mean you are not paying attention.