Picture this: you're sitting in a two-hour lecture, your eyes are heavy, your brain is foggy, and your mind is dozing off. You're struggling to stay awake in class, but of course you don't want to nod off and miss a section of the lecture — or worse, get caught by the professor. If this scene feels a little too real for you, then you know how hard it can be to stay awake in class. (After all, you have a full workload and social life.)
There are tons of helpful tips and tricks to stay awake in class, but TBH sleep is non-negotiable. 'Your brain runs on sleep, and you will have a big breakdown in mood and learning when you're not getting enough sleep,' says sleep expert Roxanne Prichard, PhD. In other words, consistent sleep is necessary for learning. 'We have a lot of data that shows if you sleep well, you're not going to be the one falling asleep in class,' she tells PS.
Okay, men hvor meget sover du faktisk behov? Syv til ni timer om natten, siger Dr. Prichard. 'Konsistens er meget vigtigt, og det handler om at have en konsekvent rytme, så prøv at gå i seng og vågne op på samme tid for at få den søvn, din krop har brug for.'
But sometimes life happens, and your busy schedule gets in the way. If that's the case, there're a handful of simple ways to perk up during class to keep you engaged, alert, and actively learning. Read on for 15 tips from real, busy students on how to stay awake in class.
Eksperter omtalt i denne artikel
Roxanne Prichard , PhD, er professor i neurovidenskab og psykologi ved University of St. Thomas.
Sådan forbliver du vågen i klassen
1. Masser dine hænder
'Jeg masserer området mellem min tommel- og pegefinger for at holde mig vågen. En zoneterapeut fortalte mig engang, at det var en god måde at slippe af med migræne, hvilket det nogle gange gør, og det hjælper mig også med at holde mig vågen i lange timer eller foredrag«. — Kasha, Johns Hopkins University class of 2026
2. Bær et Bond Touch-armbånd
'One unique way to stay awake during class is by wearing a bond touch armbånd with a fellow classmate. These bracelets are meant for couples in long distance relationships but can work great as a wakeup call. Bond touch bracelets vibrate at the touch of a button when one person wants to get the attention of the other. If you find yourself dozing off in class often, simply have an accountability partner wear one with you. They can zap their bracelet to send a vibration to your wrist and it will wake you up like a vibrating alarm clock.' — Alyce, Florida A&M University class of 2024
3. Sæt dig lige op
'Jeg sidder oprejst, så det er sværere (eller umuligt) at falde i søvn.' — Jocelyn, University of Michigan Medical School class of 2027
4. Drik vand
'I drink a lot of water during class because it seems like an activity. The cold water also keeps me alert, so I try to drink an entire Hydro Flask during each class.' – Jack, University of Southern California class of 2024
5. Klæd dig til succes
'I try to get dressed for class every day. It doesn't have to be fancy but if I'm wearing jeans or a casual dress, I feel more awake than if I'm wearing sweats or pajamas.' – Claire, University of Denver class of 2026
6. Doodle
'I stay awake by doodling in my notebooks during class. This helps keep me entertained and alert.' — Hannah, New York University class of 2024
7. Tag et koldt brusebad
'If I'm incredibly tired before my evening class, I take a freezing shower and practice mindful breathing under the water. Cold showers wake the body up and refresh the mind, as shocking as they can be to the skin. Then grounding yourself through mindful breathing helps calm the nerves and puts you in a state of concentration and focus, which is why I do it. After my brief shower, I take a little bit of time to get ready, putting some pride in my appearance, and by the time I get to class, I am wide awake, feeling calm, cool, collected, and ready to learn.' — MaLynn, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City class of 2024
8. Tag noter
'I take notes in class, even on the stuff that doesn't matter, so I stay engaged with the lecture.' — Daniel, Emory University class of 2026
9. Eksperimenter med æteriske olier
'Jeg er for nylig begyndt at få fat i æteriske olier, og jeg fandt ud af, at hvis jeg putter en klat eukalyptus- eller pebermynteolie på mine tindinger og næsetippen, holder det mig vågen og mere energisk.' — Jen, University of Texas at Austin class of 2024
10. Forbliv produktiv
'I often try to find something else productive I can do if I'm getting drowsy. Whether it's a to-do list or some work for another class, I find I can wake myself up by working on something I want to get done. After that it's easier to return my focus to the class and I'll feel more awake.' — Joe, Colgate University class of 2024
11. Motion
'If I feel myself falling asleep in class, I get up and go to the bathroom to wake my brain up — move around a little.' — Celia, Colgate University, class of 2023
For et tip: A quick exercise break before or during class can boost your heart rate and up your cortisol levels to activate the body and prep the mind for learning, Dr. Prichard says. Her suggestion? Try five minutes of jumping jacks or running in place!
12. Drik kaffe
'Jeg drikker en masse kaffe og holder pauser for at gå rundt på gangen under mine længere timer.' — Caroline, Colgate University class of 2023
For et tip: Caffeinated drinks like coffee or tea can be helpful in waking you up before class, Dr. Prichard says. Just be mindful that caffeine takes 15 to 20 minutes to kick in , and you should cut off caffeine at least eight hours before bed, she adds.
13. Tyggegummi
'I chew a lot of gum during class. It's hard to fall asleep while literally chewing and the mint is refreshing.' — Emma, Northwestern University class of 2025
For et tip: Hvis du leder efter et ekstra stød, siger Dr. Prichard, at saftig smag som kaneltyggegummi eller wasabiærter kan alarmere og stimulere dine sanser.
14. Deltag
'Jeg deltager så meget, jeg kan, uanset om det er at stille spørgsmål, svare på henvendelser eller deltage i en gruppediskussion. Dette hjælper mig med at forblive engageret og holder tingene lidt mere spændende.' — Grace, DePaul University class of 2026
15. Øv Mindfulness
'Jeg forsøger at praktisere mindfulness, når jeg bemærker, at jeg ikke er opmærksom eller falder i søvn. I de øjeblikke vil jeg gå på toilettet og sprøjte vand i mit ansigt, eller jeg strækker mig og knækker mine led.' — Everett, University of Florida class of 2023
Andi Breitowich er en Chicago-baseret freelanceskribent og uddannet fra Emory University og Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. Hendes arbejde har optrådt i PS, Women's Health, Cosmopolitan og andre steder.
