I was sitting in class, utterly bored out of my mind. My eyes drooped and my head fell forward as I started to fall asleep. I jerked up and looked around to notice half the class having a similar predicament. I attempted to stay awake for the remainder of the class by doodling in my notebook, instead of taking notes.
And then it hit me: we spend so much money going to this school only to fall asleep during our classes. So I have decided to create a list of ways, to not only help us pay attention in class, but to stay awake as well.
The most obvious word of advice in this situation is to take professors that match your learning style. Make sure you know what kind of learner you are, whether it is visual or auditory or a combination and try to find professors that fit your learning needs.
When we try to decide what classes we want to take each semester, we ask our friends which professors they liked and didn't like. I like to take classes with professors that are good at getting the class involved. I tend to stay away from professors that spend more time lecturing and less time engaged in discussion.
Find what works for you.
We go to such a small, tight-knit school: people are always more than willing to give advice on which professors they recommend.
My next tip to stay awake in class is to actively participate in the class discussion. Answer the professor's questions and bring interesting ideas to the table.
In fact, a lot of professors at this school take participation into account when configuring your final grade, so it can't hurt. In addition, when you are actively involved, it affects the dynamic of the classroom, often making it more enjoyable for others. Furthermore, you will better comprehend the information that is covered throughout the course.
Another vital piece of advice: get enough sleep the night before. The average person needs at least six to eight hours of sleep each night. I need a little bit more.
If you constantly find yourself falling asleep during class, you, most likely, can attribute the fatigue to lack of sleep. Eating healthy, working out and drinking enough water also factor in to this category. Overall, a healthy lifestyle will help keep your mind active.
Lastly, hold yourself accountable. Don't blame the professor. If you have a hard time paying attention and staying awake, sit up front. You are less likely to fall asleep with the professor right there.
Take notes and try your best to make sure you are making the most of your education. I like to take notes in different colored pens; little things can make class more enjoyable.
We are spending a lot of money to go to this amazing school. Hopefully my tips can help you stay awake and pay attention in class.
- Dobias is a junior from Fishers, Ind., majoring in communications and minoring in political science and computer science.
opinion@thedepauw.com
