How to Survive Long Lectures
Getting through long lectures without losing focus (or your mind) is an entirely underrated talent. One hour of lecture is bad enough, but I like to think that my four consecutive hours of lecture every Monday truly qualify me to share these tips that I use to get through it!
1. Wake up early
Early morning lectures are the true test of strength, so it’s best to give yourself ample time to really wake up and get ready for the day. This way you’ll be alert and ready to focus when it comes time to plunk down in an uncomfortable chair for the unforeseeable future.
2. Eat breakfast
Another good reason to get up early, eating a good breakfast can make or break your day! It will fuel you up for the long day ahead and prevent your obnoxious stomach growls from disrupting your classes (take it from me, you don’t want to be that person). I can never focus during lectures if I’m hungry, so I always try to get a good meal in beforehand!
3. COFFEE
Need I say more? Not only is it the pick-me-up you need for a long class, it is also something you can look forward to when you are getting out of bed! If you are not a coffee drinker, try finding a tea you like or something else that you can look forward to, like your favorite muffin or granola bar!
4. Prepare for Lecture
I walk out of lectures feeling one of two ways: like an absolute boss who just took awesome notes on the material she ~mostly~ understands, or a stray animal who was left outside in a hurricane (lost and afraid). The best ways to prepare for lectures are to read so that you can follow along with what your professor is saying while you’re taking notes, and to pack your bag ahead of time. Between your favorite pens, the right notebooks, your iClicker, and your (hopefully charged) laptop, there’s a lot you could possibly forget in a rush! So do the readings and pack ahead of time because feeling prepared really sets the tone for the class.
5. Dress for Success
I’m not talking about skirts or pantsuits, ladies, I’m talking about the importance of a comfortable temperature. After just one class you’ll probably get a feel for the average temperature in that classroom. If it’s unnecessarily frigid (looking at you, Cushing 001), it’s a good idea to bring a sweater to every class! If you know the room gets toasty, you’ll want to dress in layers.
6. Develop a Note-Taking System
There’s nothing worse than frantically trying to write down every single word that’s said and seen during lecture and ending up with messy, illegible notes. Try developing your own system for taking notes. Some of my friends use different colored pens to differentiate between definitions and any questions that they might have. Try a couple of different ways and learn what works best for you.
7. Stay Focused
Staying locked in for hours can be extremely difficult, but try your best to stay focused. Zoning out for those seemingly short 5 minutes can put a serious information gap in your notes. Stay away from Facebook and Snapchat during class- you’ll thank yourself later for paying attention now (and I SWEAR time ticks by slower when I’m not paying attention). Avoid watching the clock and just focus on taking the best notes possible.
Good luck with your classes, ladies, and remember: lectures are tough, but we’re way tougher.
Photo Sources:
http://www.hotel-r.net/im/hotel/fr/lecture-12.png