FINAL DRAFT
How to Stay Awake During Class
My entire high school career I didn’t know how to stay awake in class. I took early morning classes and had to get up at the ungodly hour of 6:30. Just before class, I rolled out of bed, stumbled to the class with my eyes barely open, and settled into my seat. Then 3 out of 4 classes for the rest of the day I would fall asleep. In order to maintain better overall health and receive participation points I made an effort to stay awake during class. I thus developed a formula to stay awake in class.
As a high school student, I can almost guarantee that extra sleep is essential. Going to bed early may not always sound appealing. However even an extra hour of sleep can help. “The optimum amount of sleep is 8 hours per night. (Tandra, 2006) Sneak the hours when they are available. Even a nap can help.
Take notes by hand. Taking notes on a laptop tends to draw one's focus because typing is much more automatic. “Typing is an action that requires less attention than writing and thus becomes mesmerizing for users.” (Vayren, 2008) It also takes less time than taking notes by hand. Taking notes by hand is slower, so it makes one focus on keeping up with the lecture.
Eat healthy snacks. Eating a snack can help give a boost of energy. The best types of snacks for this are foods filled with proteins and carbohydrates. I enjoy taking a bag of healthy cereal like Cheerios to my very early classes. I try to eat the cereal one piece at a time—the carbs plus the act of making myself take one at a time really help me stay awake. “Fruit also provides a boost of energy, like sliced apples or grapes.” (Richardson, 1995) Junk food, obviously, is not a good option. Foods high in sugar and fat will cause one to be even more tired after a short period of time. Also, be sure to drink water. Dehydration can render the body frail so bring a water bottle to class. Soda is not a good substitute for water to keep one's body hydrated.
Get some exercise. “One should be able to squeeze in about 20 minutes of cardiovascular activity about 3 to 5 times a week.” (Brinkmeyer, 2007) Exercise makes one feel more energetic and forces his body to adapt to the extra use of energy. Naps become more productive and routines are developed. Routines can train the body to react accordingly to different times of day. Forcing oneself to stay awake during class time will train his body to stay up and then nap routinely after class.
Get interested in the lecture. A lot of one's interest in a lecture is effected by his attitude. If he goes in thinking it’s going to be boring, he will probably be bored. Be it a required class, try to get interested in the lecture each day; it will help one to stay alert. “Try to learn at least three things you didn’t know, and tell someone about them after class.” (Scruggs, 2008) It might sound arduous, but it will help one stay awake and learn.
Following these simple steps will prompt even the hardiest sleeper to stay awake and attentive during class. It is a process that takes time and discipline, but once mastered this can become a healthy and essential tool for surviving the school day.
Works Cited
Brinkmeyer, Scott F. "How to Stay Awake in Class."
9/20/07.http://media.www.thesimpsonian.com/media/storage/paper1080/news/20
07/09/20/Lifestyles/How-To.Stay.Awake.In.Class-2978029.shtml (accessed
12/21/2008).
Richardson, Lynda. "To Sleep, Perchance to Stay Awake During Class."
12/27/1995.http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9D0DEF
D71539F934A15751C1A963958260 (accessed 12/21/2008).
Scruggs, Ann. "How to Stay Awake in Class."
3/19/2008.http://www.howtodothings.com/education/how-to-stay-awake-in-class
(accessed 12/21/2008).
Tandra, Missy. "What is the Best Way to Stay Awake During Class."
8/21/2006.http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/71244/what's/the/best/way/to/stay/
awake/in/class (accessed 12/21/2008).
Vayren, Kaitlen. "How To Stay Awake in Class."
5/09/2008.http://psfiles.blogspot.com/2008/05/how-to-stay-awake-in-class.html
(accessed 12/21/2008).
ROUGH DRAFT
Process Essay
My entire high school career I didn’t know how to stay awake in class. I took early morning classes and had to get up at the ungodly hour of 6:30. Just before class, I rolled out of bed, stumbled to the class with my eyes barely open, and settled into my seat. Then 3 out of 4 classes for the rest of the day I would fall asleep. In order to maintain better overall health and receive participation points I made an effort to stay awake during class. I thus developed a formula to stay awake in class.
As a high school student, I can almost guarantee that extra sleep is essential. Going to bed early may not always sound appealing. However even an extra hour of sleep can help. The optimum amount of sleep is 8 hours. Sneak the hours when they are available. Even a nap can help.
Take notes by hand. Taking notes on a laptop tends to draw one's focus because typing is much more automatic. It also takes less time than taking notes by hand. Taking notes by hand is slower, so it makes one focus on keeping up with the lecture.
Eat healthy snacks. Eating a snack can help give a boost of energy. The best types of snacks for this are foods filled with proteins and carbohydrates. I like taking a bag of healthy cereal like Cheerios to my very early classes. I try to eat the cereal one piece at a time—the carbs plus the act of making myself take one at a time really help me stay awake. Fruit also provides a boost of energy, like sliced apples or grapes. Junk food, obviously, is not a good option. Foods high in sugar and fat will cause one to be even more tired after a short period of time. Also, be sure to drink water. Dehydration can render the body frail so bring a water bottle to class. Soda is not a good substitute for water to keep one's body hydrated.
Get some exercise. One should be able to squeeze in about 20 minutes of cardiovascular activity about 3 to 5 times a week. Exercise makes one feel more energetic and forces his body to adapt to the extra use of energy. Naps become more productive and routines are developed. Routines can train the body to react accordingly to different times of day. Forcing oneself to stay awake during class time will train his body to stay up and then nap routinely after class.
Get interested in the lecture. A lot of one's interest in a lecture is effected by his attitude. If he goes in thinking it’s going to be boring, he will probably be bored. Be it a required class, try to get interested in the lecture each day; it will help one to stay alert. Try to learn at least three things you didn’t know, and tell someone about them after class. It might sound arduous, but it will help one stay awake and learn.
Foot Notes? Bibliography?