Almost every student has been guilty of dozing off in class. Sleeping in class can cause you to miss important information that is said in class. So to prevent sleepiness during class, you can employ the following strategies.
How to not feel sleepy in class
1. Eat snacks
One of the best ways to not feel sleepy in class is to eat snacks. This way, you won’t have to worry about dozing off in class as you will be able to focus. There are a lot of different snacks that can make you not feel sleepy in class, so make sure to pick something that you’re going to enjoy. Some of the best snacks to help you avoid sleeping in class include: Popcorn, Nachos, Chocolate bars, Gummy bears, Chips, etc.
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2. Take a walk
Despite the fact that most teachers or professors consider this to be disrespectful, especially in the middle of a lecture, walking around; doing jumping jacks, or jogging at a specific location is a good way to get your blood pumping, which can boost your focus and energy level.
However, if it is a long hour lecture with a break in the middle, take advantage of that opportunity to get up from your seat and move your body. Or you can take permission and visit the restroom and then use that opportunity to exercise.
3. Take a long, deep breath.
If you are stuck in the classroom for a longer period of time than expected, a few deep breaths can help deliver oxygen to your system, which may be just what you need right now to regain your focus, much like a parent pushing a stroller with an infant on board for a sidewalk just for the fresh air, which is really refreshing.
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4. Bring some caffeine to class.
If this has become a habit for you, drinking a cup of coffee or another caffeinated beverage may be the solution. With the energy boost that these drinks provide, you will be able to stay awake throughout your lecture. Taking coffee without a lot of added sugar is also a healthier option than sweetened coffee.
5. Drink sufficient amount of water
Staying hydrated by ensuring constant intake of water is a good strategy that most long-haul truckers and others use to put in long hours at tiresome jobs because they are aware that fluids help keep the blood flowing and with this your brain is constantly getting plenty of oxygen as well as nutrients which help the body to work sharply in any activity at the moment including in class because the slightest dehydration your body experiences can cause it irritability, fatigue, and headaches.
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6. Take part in class.
When you actively engage in class, whether by taking notes or actively participating in classroom discussion, you will avoid snoozing off during lecture hours. It may simply be that you need to occupy your mind with these activities during class, so make sure to take good notes and be attentive to the explanations that come from your teachers or professors.
And keep in mind that there may be questions or comments in class that are very important to your exams. In classes where questions and discussions are permitted, you can choose to participate and keep the conversation going, which will help you deal with the issue of dozing.
7. Create and follow a sleep schedule.
A good sleep schedule is key to getting a good night’s sleep, which will keep you awake during the day. A good sleep schedule will ensure that you go to sleep at roughly the same time every day, which is a great way to adapt your body to the default time and makes it aware of when it is time to sleep and, of course, when it is time to wake up for learning. A good sleep routine should aim for 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night.
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8. Sleep well at night
Sleepiness in class is a clear sign that a student did not get enough sleep the night before. The first thing to do if you do not want to get sleepy in class is to get enough sleep each night. An adequate amount of sleep the night before is important if you want to function well in class.
Your body may need more than the recommended eight hours of sleep to operate at peak performance. Consistently following a bedtime and wakeup time schedule might help your body learn to better regulate its own sleep and wake cycles. If you get enough good sleep, you could feel less tired throughout the day.
9. Have some morning light.
When you are exposed to that morning light, it is sure a good way to wake up your body and soul for the task ahead. A brisk walk in the morning might be recommended, which helps energize your system for hours. A good exposure to morning light helps you wake up faster, which sets your system to be awake during the day, and a good routine ensures you have a good night’s sleep.
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10. Alter your seat or have a mint
Those who prefer sitting in the back of a class during lectures are already planning an unplanned nap; believe it or not, falling asleep is difficult, especially if you are seated in the front seat, a few feet from the teacher. Also, with the use of mint, which is known not only for its health benefits but also as one of the most useful in class, with the effect of making your breath smell better. Your brain gets to stimulate the hippocampus, which is a major component that gets the brain involved with alertness and other thinking skills.
11. Relax
Emotional exhaustion can cause problems ranging from daytime sleepiness to poor nighttime sleep and definitely inability to focus in class, which is a sure way of feeling sleepy in class, also if you are tense about your grades or an activity that takes place in the morning that you are not happy with, these feelings can make your brain to expend a lot of energy, which will make you tired.
To avoid this feeling, meditate and try relaxing techniques to help cope with those stresses, which will undoubtedly result in a happier outlook.
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Conclusion
With the recommended tips above, you can be sure of not falling asleep during class. However, for some other conditions, such as obstructive sleep apnea, seeking the advice of a doctor is critical in order to receive the proper treatment.