It is not always easy to stay alert in class, but it is essential to do so if you want to be promoted and have good grades. The good news is that by learning a few techniques you can easily do it: focus on the subjects studied and participate more to start finding even the most boring lesson interesting.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Preparation
Step 1. Do your homework and complete the required reading
Going to school prepared will not only help you feel more involved in class, but also develop better communication skills.
Step 2. Anticipate ideas
Think back to everything you have learned up to that point and try to understand what the next topics will be. Develop your own mind map so that you can already be projected on the lessons to come.
Step 3. Prepare questions
You may have jotted down some questions in your notes or homework: keep them ready and ask the teacher during the lesson. If you wait for your questions to be answered, you will be more interested and involved in what is being explained.
Step 4. Get enough sleep at night
If you find yourself having a boring lesson, being sleepy won't help you find focus. So make sure you sleep well at night, and if you really feel tired, take a quick nap before the start of the lesson.
Step 5. Eat right
Your nutrition also affects your ability to focus. Avoid eating junk food if you don't want to be weighed down in class. Likewise, avoid skipping meals. The ideal is to eat a healthy and balanced meal that gives you the right energy. Here are some foods that can help you find focus:
- The coffee. But try not to overdo the caffeine or on the contrary you will feel anxious and confused.
- The fish. It is no coincidence that it is considered food for the mind. Fish such as salmon are particularly rich in omega-3s and fatty acids, which aid in the activities of the mind, including memory.
- Walnuts and dark chocolate. Including these foods in moderation will allow you to get a good dose of antioxidants. Dark chocolate also contains a small dose of caffeine.
- Search the internet for other foods that are especially recommended for students.
Part 2 of 3: Taking a Stand
Step 1. Sit at the first desks
Doing so is very important and you can immediately reap the benefits.
- You will be forced to behave your best.
- Being closer to the professors will make it easier for you to maintain eye contact with them.
- You will be able to hear better what is being explained, and read the words on the board.
- It will be easier for you to be able to ask questions, without having to shout them from one side of the classroom to the other.
Step 2. Learn to assume correct posture
You will be surprised to find out how positively correct posture can affect your academic performance.
- Just avoid dragging yourself or holding your head - it will be harder to stay awake if you are already in a sleepy position.
- Make sure you move every now and then. You don't have to be a statue. Change your position, it will help your blood circulation and better oxygenation of the brain.
- Reach out to teachers to show your participation. In this way it will be clear that you are interested and involved, and consequently also the professors will be towards you.
Step 3. Avoid proximity to sources of distraction
Recognize which of your friends are true classmates and which are just distractions.
- If you are always next to a partner who does not want to know anything about the study, you will not benefit from it; start sitting next to someone else.
- Find someone who is as interested in lessons as you are. It will be perfect to find a comparison and the company to face the study. Look at each other's notes, discuss subjects and meet in the afternoon to study together.
Part 3 of 3: Actively Assist
Step 1. Ask questions
This is a crucial factor in showing your teachers that you are following what is being explained. After all, school is a place to go to learn - try to make the most of every day.
Step 2. Answer the questions
Do not be shy. If you know the correct answer to a question, raise your hand and remember:
- It is always a pleasant feeling to know the right answer. You will feel gratified and more motivated to raise your hand again in the future.
- If I'm wrong, it doesn't matter. Your teachers will be pleased to see that you have made an effort, and perhaps, even if wrong, you have somehow come close to the correct answer.
Step 3. Learn to take notes well
Taking proper notes will not only help you focus and pay attention to everything that is said, but it can be extremely helpful during your study and homework. Teachers often include questions on class-only topics in tests that you may not find in the book.
Step 4. Ask for explanations
If you don't understand a topic or phrase, raise your hand and ask for an explanation. It is possible that other people also remained doubtful.
Step 5. Join the discussions
It's not just about asking questions - sometimes starting a debate or sharing your ideas with others can be very important. Participating in the comparisons will help you to make your thoughts clear, and perhaps understand something that up until that moment escaped you.
Step 6. Focus
Do your best to stay focused solely on the current lesson, forgetting about everything else.
- If you have a portable computer with you, use it only for taking notes.
- Turn off your cell phone and set it aside.
- Pay no attention to every single noise you hear or the voices of students outside the classroom.
- During a lesson, do not start doing homework for another subject. If you do not pay due attention to what is said then you will not be able to recover it.
Advice
- Avoid any unnecessary discussions with your classmates and don't leave your notes to others.
- If you have any particular questions to ask the teachers, you can also ask them before the lesson starts or during student reception hours. Take advantage of these moments to be able to speak calmly and clarify your doubts. Participation and effort are always appreciated.
- The more accurate and complete your notes are, the less time you will have to spend over the books once home.
- Nodding from time to time while the teacher is explaining is a good way to show that you are following him and that you understand what he is saying.
- Do some research on the topics explained in class: you will be able to deepen them, understand them better and maybe find explanations with other words and more understandable for you.
- If you are a university student, try to organize your class schedule well: if one day is too heavy, and you already feel tired, there is no point in torturing yourself by listening to a boring lesson without any interest.
Warnings
- It is essential to always be present in the classroom. If you don't attend lessons regularly, it will be very difficult to get good grades and pass the tests.
- If you don't get enough sleep at night, even an interesting lesson can feel tiring and boring.
- Teachers hate seeing students on cell phones! Turn it off, or turn off the ringer, but above all do not keep it on top of the counter. Some professors may take you out of class if they notice you are using a cell phone.
