4 Ways to Stay Awake in Class

Do you ever find yourself stressed about maintaining your attention in class? Whether it would be because you barely attain any sleep the night before, many students have all been there at one point: we find ourselves having some difficulties in remaining awake for one of our classes. Instead of running to the nearby Starbucks, here are some techniques to stay awake.

1. Chew Gum

Maybe you have some leftover gum from the other day, which can definitely help you in your case if you feel that you're about to fall asleep. You can try chewing a few pieces of gum in order to stay awake. Not only does this leave you with possibly a minty breath, but this also helps you exercise your jaw, which increases your alertness. On the bright side, if you are looking out for your calorie intake, usually chewing gum may have less calories compared to drinking a Monster or Red Bull!

2. Bring Snacks

Bring any snacks but try to refrain yourself from consuming crunchy food (e.g. apples, carrots). Sometimes, I have found that munching on several grapes prevent my eyes from drooping down since my brain becomes focused on chewing the grapes and ensuring that I do not choke. Additionally, if you are not the biggest fan of consuming spicy food, you can try munching on some Hot Cheetos or Spicy Funyuns considering that the astringency may shock your taste buds. Though, try not to overdo it! Despite Hot Cheetos and Spicy Fungus having a crunchy texture, you can extract the spicy powder with your tongue.

3. Color Code Notes & Drawing Concepts

While the professor is endlessly lecturing, you can make it your mission to color code your notes. You can try dividing certain notes into various categories. Along with that, you can also try drawing pictures to demonstrate some concepts. In the long run, this can help you further understand the material.

4. Write a To-Do List

If you are a multitasker, you can also try constructing a to-do list for the course (or possibly your other courses) on what you need to study and how you plan to tackle any obstacles that you may have. Furthermore, you can also list a few questions that you may have and ask the professor at the end of class or during their office hours. Later, this can also better prepare you on what you should concentrate on, especially for your midterms and finals.

Some of these methods may not be your cup of tea, and that’s okay. As you are the one who knows yourself best, you can continue to explore different ways to keep yourself awake!