How to Stay Awake in Class

As an undergraduate, I was a highly motivated student. I truly wanted to learn. More than that, I felt I had to get good grades so I could graduate and get a job. My parents had died and I had no way to support myself. I strongly felt that doing well in school was my only way to get by in life. In my mind, doing well in classes was a matter of survival.

And in order to do well in my classes, I had to stay awake.

But there was one particular class in which I just could not stay awake. I don't remember the professor or anything about the class other than the fact that it was a physics class. I do remember sitting the lecture hall while that warm comfortable feeling of sleepiness encroached on my consciousness. Soon the room would begin to grow dim. I knew that the professor was speaking English but it sounded more and more like an ancient Babylonian rehearsing lines in a Klingon opera.

Now I find myself in a similar situation. During my first weekend of classes, in the middle of the afternoon in Dr. McCann's Project Management class, I felt my head drooping. I longed for a pillow. It would have felt so good to close my eyes, just for a moment.

This was just like that physics class. Except that now I'm an adult and I have a lot more experience and lot more responsibility and fortunately a lot more tools and techniques at my disposal.

So I stood up. I picked up my notebook and pen and got out of my seat and walked to back of the room. Standing, I was able to remain fully awake and focused on the class. I listened to Dr. McCann, took notes, and learned things. When I was sure I could stay awake, I took my seat again.

Back when I was an innocent undergraduate I had no idea the solution to the problem would have been so easy. Just stand up. What a wonderful, easy, simple fix. No caffeine, no outside forces influencing me. I choose what I do. I choose how I am. I choose to remain awake, focused, and present, and I have the tools and experience to make that choice a reality.

Having problems staying awake in class? Just stand up.