Students will do anything to fight the boredom that occurs during a long day of school. In the past, they would bring items like pogs and laser pointers, which served as mindless entertainment during downtime and class time. Recently, items like cell phones have become a more engaging way to distract one’s self. It’s instinctive of students to test the boundaries established by their teachers, and for as long as organized schools exist, teachers will have collections of items they deem inappropriate for use in the classroom. Here are 15 items commonly confiscated in schools today.

1. Cell Phones
   Cell phones are without question the biggest annoyance to teachers, the biggest distracters of students and the most confiscated item at schools across the country. Given their large number of functions, there are various ways in which students use them to pass time. But the random ringing and incessant texting are the biggest pet peeves of most teachers today, and zero tolerance policies have been implemented to combat the disturbances. Despite the power held by the schools, students are fighting back, as evidenced by the lawsuit filed by Arkansas high school student Anthony Koch against his teacher and principle, though the case was eventually dismissed and he lost his appeal.
2. iPods
   In the ’80s, it was the Walkman. In the ’90s, it was the CD player. For the past several years, it has been the iPod. Each of these items has been commonly confiscated by teachers through the years, depriving students of their favorite tunes. In 2007, one 17-year-old student and his friend went so far as to break their teacher’s neck after he confiscated an iPod.
3. Notes
   When students can’t text one another, a timeless way to send an urgent message is by passing a handwritten note. Although it may seem archaic – notes have been confiscated for generations – it offers immediate gratification. Of course, students can get into deep trouble if they write inappropriate material, especially about the teacher.
4. Magazines
   Whether it’s Vogue, Sports Illustrated, Cosmo, or one of the racier gentlemen’s magazines, the presence of non-educational publications during class time is frowned upon. Punishment can range from simple confiscation to detention or worse if the magazine features lurid content.
5. Books
   Books that aren’t relevant to class discussions are distractions, even though teachers encourage their students to read and read often. In some cases, students attempt to complete reading assignments during other classes so they won’t have to do them at home. The teachers of those classes usually take this as an insult.
6. Hats
   Some schools ban hats of any kind while others allow them as long as they aren’t a disruption. One school in Rhode Island recently banned a patriotic hat that was adorned with toy soldiers, though the policy was later changed. Students often test the limits by wearing attention-grabbing hats that feature loud colors, eye-popping designs or outdated styles.
7. Inappropriate Attire
   Disruptive clothing and accessories that aren’t permitted on school grounds according to campus policy can be taken up as long as the item doesn’t cover an important part of the body. Banned clothing usually includes skimpy skirts and shorts, shirts that display too much cleavage, garments that are overly baggy and shirts that have offensive designs or statements. Some schools keep replacement items of clothing so they can force students to change on the spot.
8. Sunglasses
   Although the ’80s are long gone, students may occasionally wear their sunglasses indoors – perhaps to hide their dilated pupils or gain attention. They’re innocuous, but some teachers find them disruptive, so students typically have to show off their new Costa Del Mars elsewhere. In many cases, they’re taken up by default after they’ve been left behind after class
9. Playing Cards
   Where cards are present, money is changing hands. Teachers would much prefer their students study during their free time and not gamble. In an effort to prevent the vice, card decks are banned at many schools across the country.
10. Food
    For many growing young men and women, just one lunch break isn’t enough during a seven-hour day. So they alleviate their hunger pains by bringing food items like chips, pretzels and candy to munch on during class. However, not only are the noises created by snacking annoying, but the crumbs left behind are pest bait, and schools are notorious for having major pest problems.
11. Drinks
    Just like with food, the noises and spills that occur while drinking can detract from a peaceful and clean environment. In most cases, water is allowed because it doesn’t stain and isn’t sugary, but sodas, for example, are iffy in many schools.
12. Cigarettes
    Nicotine addiction is tough to break, so teen cigarette smokers find time to smoke in the boys’ (or ladies’) rooms when they aren’t in class. Plus, some teens still hold the misguided notion that smoking is cool and doing it on school grounds is super-rebellious.
13. Marijuana
    It’s an easy and cheap drug to obtain, and it has been a staple of high school culture for decades. Everyone remembers the stoner kids who found it necessary to sneak a couple of ounces with the accompanying paraphernalia into their lockers. These miniature drug kingpins generally endure much worse punishment than just losing their buzz.
14. Medications
    Schools require that medication be cleared with a nurse and/or teacher before it’s brought onto school grounds. Many students misuse medications, taking them without prescriptions while ignoring the negative consequences the drugs may have on their health. Adderall in particular is popularly distributed in high schools, so strict preventative measures have been taken to prevent reckless behavior.
15. Weapons (or perceived weapons)
    Items that could conceivably be used to harm other students are confiscated and harsh punishment is usually given as a result. Obviously, there’s zero tolerance for guns and knives, but even items that are seemingly harmless are taken up if they can be used for nefarious purposes. Included on the list of banned weapons are slingshots, toy guns, and even a spoon/fork/dull knife utensil used by a six-year-old Cub Scout.