How do you all stay focused during class/lecture?

[Tennis Guy]

I ask this because I have difficulty paying attention and staying focused during lecture/class often. How do you guys manage to keep your focus, stay alert, and not let your mind wander? I have this problem, even when the lecture/material is interesting. My mind just seems to drift and I "zone out."😕 Any advice or insight is greatly appreciated! 🙂

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[sliceofbread136]

I don't, lol. Independent learning ftw.

 

[midwstudent]

I think it is different for every person, but I personally always have something to drink. If I have water/lemonade/tea it keeps me from zoning out for too long because it breaks up the monotony. My roommate, on the other hand, takes meticulous notes and does so in multiple colors to help her retain the information. I think it takes practice and finding what works best for you. Also, if your school allows it, try recording the lecture so that if you do zone out, you can go back later and listen.

 

[Amba]

I ask this because I have difficulty paying attention and staying focused during lecture/class often. How do you guys manage to keep your focus, stay alert, and not let your mind wander? I have this problem, even when the lecture/material is interesting. My mind just seems to drift and I "zone out."😕 Any advice or insight is greatly appreciated! 🙂

For me, it was figuring out which lectures interested me and which I could skip. Skipping boring and unnecessary lectures during the week frees up your mind for the important/interesting ones 👍

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

You know I would like to see an in depth discussion of this. In all honesty I may have adult ADHD. 😀

 

[Chamahk]

I ask this because I have difficulty paying attention and staying focused during lecture/class often. How do you guys manage to keep your focus, stay alert, and not let your mind wander? I have this problem, even when the lecture/material is interesting. My mind just seems to drift and I "zone out."😕 Any advice or insight is greatly appreciated! 🙂

Before you jump on the ADD/ADHD wagon, would like to tell yuh, you're perfectly normal/fine. nothing's wrong with yuh.


to answer your question: (word of advice): read BEFORE CLASS. this way what he/she is saying will sound familiar to you and you can go, "oh yeah. I read that. now it makes sense". otherwise if you'll hear "hkaljfkljalkdjfgkjakljdklfjglkajdgkljfalkjf" 😎

 

[johnwalldance]

I imagine most of this is mental....just try to mentally check in think Kobe in the 4th quarter and not LeBron. I was at StudyHacks one day and it said the problem now a days is that the instant we got bored/distracted/lose focus we get on Facebook and then bam 5 minutes of your time gone.

 

[Jarudy]

Before you jump on the ADD/ADHD wagon, would like to tell yuh, you're perfectly normal/fine. nothing's wrong with yuh.


to answer your question: (word of advice): read BEFORE CLASS. this way what he/she is saying will sound familiar to you and you can go, "oh yeah. I read that. now it makes sense". otherwise if you'll hear "hkaljfkljalkdjfgkjakljdklfjglkajdgkljfalkjf" 😎

This, and getting some sleep help out so much

 

[typicalindian]

Cocaine does the trick for me. Keeps me wide awake...(joking)
Try reading before class so you know what the teacher is trying to teach you and that way you can take away important parts of the lecture

 

[Remedies]

This, and getting some sleep help out so much

+1.

Usually I resort to energy drinks/coffee if the class size is small (<20) out of respect for the professor. If it's a lecture hall class, its bedtime back in my room. No amount of lecturing is going to stick in my head anyways if I'm dead tired.

 

[aranza]

+1.

Usually I resort to energy drinks/coffee if the class size is small (<20) out of respect for the professor. If it's a lecture hall class, its bedtime back in my room. No amount of lecturing is going to stick in my head anyways if I'm dead tired.

I record my lectures then listen to them at night. This help because I'm not rushing to write down stuff and I can pause/rewind if I miss something.

 

[SoonerFromTexas]

I don't, lol. Independent learning ftw.

Beat me to it

 

[Isoprop]

to answer your question: (word of advice): read BEFORE CLASS. this way what he/she is saying will sound familiar to you and you can go, "oh yeah. I read that. now it makes sense". otherwise if you'll hear "hkaljfkljalkdjfgkjakljdklfjglkajdgkljfalkjf" 😎

I found this to be absolutely terrible for me because I go "OH MY GAAWWDD I KNOW THIS ALREADY, PLEASE JUST GO FFFAASSTTEERRRR!"

Thank God lectures are recorded. Double speed for the win!

 

[kpcrew]

try calculating how much each class costs
guaranteed you will pay attention, especially if you get no scholarship

 

[Josh2389]

I imagine most of this is mental....just try to mentally check in think Kobe in the 4th quarter and not LeBron. I was at StudyHacks one day and it said the problem now a days is that the instant we got bored/distracted/lose focus we get on Facebook and then bam 5 minutes of your time gone.

👍 win.

 

[Godric]

If its a chem class I am just naturally awake, might be to due the fact that I am writing at the speed of light. But in my bio courses I've
a. read ahead of lec so I can better understand what the Prof is saying so I am not lost in class
b. pinched my self when ever I start falling asleep
c. have a friend punch me if i start to drift

 

[johnisles2011]

I don't. Screw it. I can get more done on my own, especially if I sleep in in the morning (through lecture).

Getting an engaging lecturer really helps. There were some classes I voluntarily chose to attend even though I didn't have to. Another big booster is coffee. I know it sounds cliche, but if you're draining a cup of coffee during lecture, you'll stay awake. The same goes for gum.

If you're really struggling to stay awake, then you probably aren't getting that much out of it anyway. When that happened to me, I'd just stay home and book learn.

 

[btown8908]

I have seen a post like this before but honestly what keeps me motivated is my laptop (let's be real, guys).

 

[typicalindian]

I have seen a post like this before but honestly what keeps me motivated is my laptop (let's be real, guys).

😕

I never bring my laptop to class, if I do, I do everything except pay attention

 

[kristinairene]

I get this sometimes, but I always force myself to pay attention to the professor by paying attention to the details that is being discussed instead of wondering about my dream last night lol The thing is, once I get too focused on the details, it confuses me a lot more that I end up getting frustrated. Anyways, having a drink with you really does help a lot too.

 

[Ub3rmensch]

If I have a lecture right after lunch, I try not to eat a heavy meal. If I do, then I'm a goner.

 

[sunflower18]

I take very detailed, very meticulous notes. I ask questions. And, for classes that are more memorization than equations, reading ahead definitely does help for me. It helps keep me engaged because I'm less likely to get lost. Something important -- even if I take notes ahead of time on the same material, I retake them in class. Otherwise, I'll just totally zone out.

This worked for me during a three hour psychology night class anyway 🙂 Good luck!

 

[Cinclus]

Before you jump on the ADD/ADHD wagon, would like to tell yuh, you're perfectly normal/fine. nothing's wrong with yuh.


to answer your question: (word of advice): read BEFORE CLASS. this way what he/she is saying will sound familiar to you and you can go, "oh yeah. I read that. now it makes sense". otherwise if you'll hear "hkaljfkljalkdjfgkjakljdklfjglkajdgkljfalkjf" 😎

This is exactly what I hear if I'm totally unfamiliar with the topic.

 

[Copernicium]

We're supposed to focus in class? I used my chem lecture to catch up on sleep and told myself id learn the material later 😛

 

[idontcaureuknow]

We're supposed to focus in class? I used my chem lecture to catch up on sleep and told myself id learn the material later 😛

This is the way I function. I attend every class, and use it as naptime. I feel I learn better in my sleep

 

[varsityblue]

I try to convince myself that whatever the prof says is really, really interesting. If that doesn't work, I tell myself that not listening carefully will ensure I die a terrible death. Failing that, I pretend my mother's sitting in the back of the room and judging my concentration levels. 😉

 

[Essee]

I try to convince myself that whatever the prof says is really, really interesting. If that doesn't work, I tell myself that not listening carefully will ensure I die a terrible death. Failing that, I pretend my mother's sitting in the back of the room and judging my concentration levels. 😉

This. I think if you try hard enough to tell yourself that you like what you're hearing, it eventually works 😛

 

[Lazybum2014]

I try to convince myself that whatever the prof says is really, really interesting. If that doesn't work, I tell myself that not listening carefully will ensure I die a terrible death. Failing that, I pretend my mother's sitting in the back of the room and judging my concentration levels. 😉

True Story. When I was in middle/high school and spent too much time on homework, my mom would walk up behind me, place her hand on my shoulder and say "someone wasn't paying attention." Used to scare the heebie-jeebies out of me...

As far as paying attention goes, I'm sure my class knows me as the girl who has to visit the ladies room every fifteen minutes. Whatever. At least I'm paying attention!

 

[Tennis Guy]

Lol... I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one that has trouble paying attention during lectures. 😀 I did buy a voice recorder actually, so I'll be using that... I have calc I, physics II, and microbio to use it with. Microbio seems like a class that recording the lectures would be great with. On the other hand, physics II and calc I don't seem like classes that recording the lectures would be beneficial. What do you guys think though... is my assumption wrong? Also, do you guys save your recordings to your computer to listen to them again... or do you just delete them off your recorder once you listened to them and not save them?

 

[Tennis Guy]

BUMP... Sorry guys, but I really need an answer to my previous post! lol... 😀

 

[typicalindian]

I record lectures, I have never listened to a single one though seems like a waste of time so I eventually just stopped recording them 🙄

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

Lol... I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one that has trouble paying attention during lectures. 😀 I did buy a voice recorder actually, so I'll be using that... I have calc I, physics II, and microbio to use it with. Microbio seems like a class that recording the lectures would be great with. On the other hand, physics II and calc I don't seem like classes that recording the lectures would be beneficial. What do you guys think though... is my assumption wrong? Also, do you guys save your recordings to your computer to listen to them again... or do you just delete them off your recorder once you listened to them and not save them?

Where did you get yours and for how much? I'd probably just save them for the semester and then delete them. (Hey it may come in handy during finals). 😀

 

[Ansar]

I don't. Friends don't pay attention either

I guess that's why we get A- in the classes 🙄

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

Read and take notes ahead.
Go to class with knowledge and interest in the material.

 

[ZsaZsaM]

My number one thing is coffee. And not just for the caffeine. As midwstudent mentioned above, it really breaks up the monotony of the lecture and I actually find it can make things enjoyable (at least for early morning classes...I always looked forward to by blazing hot cup of coffee). If you don't like coffee, ice water is a good beverage to sip on...will keep you hydrated and alert.

Also, I take a lot of notes. People probably look at me and wonder, is she writing down everything the professor is saying? No, I am definitely not doing that, but I do write down random trivia tidbits the prof mentions and background information. This helps me put the information in context and follow along with the lecture.

 

[Kadava Reviva]

I don't want to sound like a goddamn hippy, but you can do Zen meditation twice a day. It helps you learn the ability to focus, even on nothing. Your profs may stop sounding like Charley Brown's teacher. It takes a while, but it works. BTW, as mentioned above, if you can learn more on your own than by going to lectures because you can read just as well as your prof, just don't go.

 

[akszp4]

I found this to be absolutely terrible for me because I go "OH MY GAAWWDD I KNOW THIS ALREADY, PLEASE JUST GO FFFAASSTTEERRRR!"

Thank God lectures are recorded. Double speed for the win!

Me too! I zone out so fast when I've pre-read the material.

try calculating how much each class costs
guaranteed you will pay attention, especially if you get no scholarship

👍 You sound like my mother, but very true!

Where did you get yours and for how much? I'd probably just save them for the semester and then delete them. (Hey it may come in handy during finals). 😀

My Iphone does a good job as a recorder! Maybe use your cell phone as a recording device to save money?

My number one thing is coffee. And not just for the caffeine. As midwstudent mentioned above, it really breaks up the monotony of the lecture and I actually find it can make things enjoyable (at least for early morning classes...I always looked forward to by blazing hot cup of coffee). If you don't like coffee, ice water is a good beverage to sip on...will keep you hydrated and alert.

Also, I take a lot of notes. People probably look at me and wonder, is she writing down everything the professor is saying? No, I am definitely not doing that, but I do write down random trivia tidbits the prof mentions and background information. This helps me put the information in context and follow along with the lecture.

Coffee FTW!

I sit in the front of the class, no way I can zone out when the professor is right in front of me. Sitting in the back just doesn't cut it-- I get sidetracked when people enter/leave, are on a webpage, talking.

Also- I don't print powerpoints out if the professor is boring or monotone throughout lecture. I get too lazy and don't take notes as well because I think all the information is already printed out so I don't need to write anything down/pay attention. I've realized that copying the slides on notebook paper and reciting what I'm writing in my head helps in classes like this.

 

[Narmerguy]

I often lose focus but I reassure myself with the knowledge that the textbook typically contains whatever my professor is saying.

In cases where this is not true...fear typically keeps me pretty attentive.

 

[akszp4]

After I fail the first test of the semester paying attention doesn't seem so hard. 😉

Don't sit by friends in class. I tend to do worse in classes where I socialize/ have friends with me.

 

[wackawacka]

I feel you, sometimes the most difficult things in life is forcing yourself to pay attention to something you just don't find interesting. Welcome to the grind 🙁

 

[timonski]

Try sitting a bit closer to the front of the class if you aren't already doing so. I used to sit in the back half of lectures and I found that I was often distracted by what was going on around me. People would be whispering each other, or someone a few rows ahead of me would be watching a video on youtube. It's hard not to avert a bit of attention to these things. Best thing to do is just sit near the front, and have your teacher breathing on you so you won't ever lose focus.

Another thing I did - depending on the class - I recorded typographically everything the professor says, that way, I don't even need to listen to the podcast during reviews.

 

[dmf2682]

Sitting forward in the chair doesn't let you relax, keeps you on edge. I try to wear clothes where I'll be uncomfortably cold so I don't feel warm enough to get relaxed. Also try and be hungry but not too hungry. Coffee will help too. Go to the gym beforehand.

I'm not sure but I think all this has to do with getting the sympathetic nervous system going being better for learning. So try and do stuff that will prevent you from resting and digesting.

 

[orthomyxo]

I can never pay attention in class, and frankly I don't know why I even go to them. In most classes, the professor teaches from the book verbatim so it's really not that big a deal.

 

[gmcguitar4]

take classes you are interested in..

don't goto required courses...if attendance is required put a pillow in your backpack and sit in the back of the room with your head on it and record lecture.

 

[JThornton661]

My trick is to catch myself right at the point of zoning out, and I simply ask myself "Is this the type of behavior that will get me accepted to a medical school? Will doing this make my a good doctor?"

I snap out of it pretty fast once I think my entire future is on the line. Saw someone else say he envisions a painful death if he doesn't do well in a course. Does that even compare to the possibility of FAILURE???

 

[Violagirl]

I have a tendency to zone out at well, especially for early morning classes. I try to sit as close to the professor as possible so I'm forced to pay attention. If the professor writes on the board, I take as many notes as possible too to ensure that I not only obtain information presented in lecture but also to give me something to do to keep busy. Otherwise if the professor uses powerpoints and has an online portion for the class, I bring my laptop to and follow along with the powerpoints in class. 🙂

 

[addictedbeauty]

A cup of tea...Must have this during my morning classes 🙂

I tend to be good with staying focused and recording a lecture is just a waste of time for me.

Pay attention and take notes...be prepared to take notes if anything.

 

[Bluvip]

two words: mad stimulants

 

[lolcat]

After I fail the first test of the semester paying attention doesn't seem so hard. 😉

Don't sit by friends in class. I tend to do worse in classes where I socialize/ have friends with me.

lmao that's exactly how I am! It's really hard for me to pay attention in the beginning of the class because it generally goes slow and I just lose interest. Then I do horrible when the test comes by lol and straighten up after that