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.
Ok, mas quanto você dorme na verdade precisar? Sete a nove horas por noite, diz o Dr. Prichard. 'Consistência é muito importante e trata-se de ter um ritmo consistente, então tente ir para a cama e acordar no mesmo horário para dormir o sono que seu corpo precisa.'
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.
Especialistas apresentados neste artigo
Roxanne Prichard , PhD, é professor de neurociência e psicologia na Universidade de St.
Como ficar acordado na aula
1. Massageie suas mãos
'Eu massageio a área entre o polegar e o indicador para ficar acordado. Certa vez, um reflexologista me disse que era uma boa maneira de me livrar das enxaquecas, o que às vezes acontece, e também me ajuda a ficar acordado em aulas ou palestras longas. — Kasha, Johns Hopkins University class of 2026
2. Use uma pulseira Bond Touch
'One unique way to stay awake during class is by wearing a pulseira de toque bond 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. Sente-se direito
'Eu sento-me direito, então é mais difícil (ou impossível) adormecer.' — Jocelyn, University of Michigan Medical School class of 2027
4. Beba água
'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. Vista-se para o sucesso
'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. Rabisco
'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. Tome um banho frio
'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. Faça anotações
'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. Experimente óleos essenciais
'Recentemente comecei a usar óleos essenciais e descobri que se eu colocar um pouco de óleo de eucalipto ou hortelã-pimenta nas têmporas e na ponta do nariz, isso me mantém acordado e com mais energia.' — Jen, University of Texas at Austin class of 2024
10. Mantenha-se produtivo
'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. Exercício
'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
Para uma dica: 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. Beba café
'Eu bebo muito café e faço pausas para andar pelo corredor durante minhas aulas mais longas.' — Caroline, Colgate University class of 2023
Para uma dica: 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. Mascar chiclete
'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
Para uma dica: Se você está procurando uma sacudida extra, o Dr. Prichard diz que sabores picantes como goma de canela ou ervilhas wasabi podem alertar e estimular seus sentidos.
14. Participe
'Eu participo tanto quanto posso, seja fazendo perguntas, respondendo a solicitações ou participando de uma discussão em grupo. Isso me ajuda a permanecer engajado e mantém as coisas um pouco mais emocionantes.” — Grace, DePaul University class of 2026
15. Pratique a atenção plena
'Tento praticar a atenção plena sempre que percebo que não presto atenção ou adormeço. Nesses momentos, vou ao banheiro e jogo água no rosto, ou me estico e estalo as articulações. — Everett, University of Florida class of 2023
Andi Breitowich é escritor freelancer baseado em Chicago e formado pela Emory University e pela Medill School of Journalism da Northwestern University. Seu trabalho foi publicado na PS, Women's Health, Cosmopolitan e em outros lugares.
