Do you ever sit through class dying of boredom? Just waiting for class to get out? I hate the feeling of almost falling asleep during a lecture. So, over the years I've had to figure out different ways to keep myself alert. I hope these help you in those boring classes where you are fighting to keep your eyes open.
1. For Girls: Braid Your Hair
I use this strategy all the time in my classes. I usually fish tail braid my hair on the side. It takes a long time to complete and you can still have your arms along your side and look normal. Try it next time if you have long enough hair, it keeps your hands busy so your brain is attentive to what is going on.
2. Take Notes
Taking notes in class is one of the most basic ways to pay attention. Not only are you paying attention to what is being taught, you also have some great notes. Pretty proactive!
3. Food/Water
Whether you are hungry or not, bring some food and a drink to class. Preferably not something with a lot of crunch so you aren't distracting. Everyone who eats tends to be happier and in a better mood to listen, no matter how boring it is.
4. Sleep
This is probably one of the main things you can do to prep for a class. Get a good night of sleep. Your mind will be clearer and ready to house all that useful (or maybe not so useful) knowledge.
5. Changed Mindset
This tip is one of the hardest. It takes an empowered person to know they need to change their attitude in order to be an attentive student. I use this tip especially when I'm not doing so well in the class because it makes me want to be able to pay attention. Get into the mindset of wanting to learn. A positive mindset will make learning easier for you while having a negative mindset will make your brain shut off.
6. Plateau
I think this is one of my favorite tips to pay attention in class. I got a few small containers of plateau as a gift from someone. It's honestly the perfect gift for a college student. I bring one to class and just play around with it in my hands while I'm listening. It's a great tip to pay attention without drawing a lot of attention to yourself.
Have you fallen asleep yet? Hopefully not! These tips are from personal experience and I know if you try them out, you will find yourself in a much better situation than before. Remember, be a good student: don't fall asleep, pay attention!