Stay awake and achieve better grades

It has only been 15 minutes into class, my professor’s voice is  becoming monotonous, and my eyelids are already heavy. At this point I’m thinking, “There’s no way I’m gonna make it through the next hour.” In the past I’ve caved into my drowsiness and aimed for a quick “power nap”, only to wake up with drool on my chin and snickers from my peers.

When I become this drowsy, the classroom can feel like a prison I can’t escape, further encouraging me to get away, via closing my eyes and indulging in my drowsiness. This get away is no good however, because then I’ve missed important information, and possibly even worse, lost some respect from my teacher, who’s just trying to teach. I’m ultimately getting out of class what I put into it, and it’s important that I put in some energy to stay awake. Through trying multiple tricks right there in my seat and in the class room, I’ve been able to conquer the drowsiness. Here are some tips that I found help A LOT in the battle to stay alert during class.

1)  Chew some gum  

Through experiments, psychologist have found that gum chewing can enhance your memory and boost test scores. So chew a piece of gum when you feel your brain might need a pick up.

2) Drink Water 

I’ve found that it’s always a good idea to hit up the water fountain right before class for some cold water. Sip it during class, and if you find you’ve had too much, a quick trip to the bathroom is another good way to get up and energize your brain.

3) Have a healthy snack 

Get your mouth muslces moving. Eat something that’s healthy and flavorful but that doesn’t make a lot of noise. Instead of chips, chew on a protein bar or some fruit.

4) Remove one of your shoes  

Xavier University says this creates a temperature difference which may help with staying awake. Try to do this as discretely as possible. It helps if you are wearing slip-on shoes.

5) Sit in the front of the class 

Sit in the front to get your head in tune with the teacher and the discussion. This will also keep you from getting distracted by the people sitting in front of you.