Sparkler xXx_lola_xXx is our very own Princess of Perpetual Boredom. But she's always coming up with new ways to fight those dull days of high school, and we have to give her snaps for that! —SparkNotes editors
How do we stay awake in class while the teacher keeps droning on about, I don't know, The French Revolution, or the composition of cat hair? I have come up with ways to keep you from getting sent to the office for disrupting class with your snoring, which, no matter how much you protest, was louder than the teacher's voice.
Option 1: Substitution
When you are listening to your teacher, substitute every fifth word for an entertaining word. Examples: tushy, flibberhaggen, blimberheimer, zimbula, lackazinganz.
Pro: You will stay awake and have fun imagining your teacher saying hilarious things.
Con: You might laugh aloud, causing the teacher to send you outside or to the principal's office.
Option 2: Doodle
When you are taking notes, doing a worksheet, or reading a story from the textbook, doodling will keep your mind focused on something other than the clock.
Pro: You might be pleasantly surprised at what your subconscious comes up with when you let your pencil wander.
Con: If you are sitting next to a friend, the teacher might think you're passing notes, even though you were just showing your buddy a sketch of your epic 2010 Halloween costume (The Cheshire Cat).
Option 3: Music
Not the best choice, I know, but trust me, it keeps you awake. It's easiest with a shuffle iPod. Just put the iPod by your hand in a sweater, let the cord go up one sleeve, pop in only one of the two earbuds, and let your hand rest over your ear.
Pro: You can listen to your music and the teacher at the same time! You may only be half listening, but at least you'll be awake.
Con: The teacher might notice you boppin' along to your iPod and take it away. That's torture.
Option 4: Gum
It's a fact that gum stimulates the brain. Who can sleep when they're busy chewing?
Pro: You stay awake, maybe even raise your hand with all that brain stimulation, and have a yummy flavor in your mouth.
Con: You must resist the urge to blow and pop bubbles, so as to avoid getting caught.
Option 5: Counting
If you want to, you can count how many times a teacher says a certain word. Every time your geometry teacher says "postulate," for example, you add to the tally on the top of your page. This technique necessitates listening to the lecture, which means you educate and entertain yourself.
Pro: If you find that your teacher says certain words a lot, you'll realize what's important. Now you know what to study.
Con: You still have to study.
Option 6: Take notes
Yes, I know that we all hate to take notes, but you can take double notes. Make two columns on your paper, one for the class information, the other column on funny stuff you notice, like how your teacher tends to tug on his beard when he is thinking, or how the kid in front of you always has to pee. (You can count how many times this kid asks to go to the restroom.)
Pro: You have the notes you need to study for that quiz on Thursday and you have a bunch of hilarious things to tell your friends.
Con: You might end up focusing more on the funny things, in which case you'll be underprepared for Thursday's quiz.
What do you do to keep from snoozing in class?
Related Post: Sleep in Class (Without Getting Caught)
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By: Contributor
Topics: School
Tags: sparkler posts, boredom, classes
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