84 replies to this topic

[stupigbearbear]

well, uhm i jus spend my time doing examination questions related to that subject and not focus on what the teacher is teaching... hahaha!

[Amebo]

Usually by just having a good, long sleep beforehand. But if a class is extremely boring and I can't even concentrate, I try to think of other things. Like what I'll do when I get home or when do I have exam for this bloody class.

[ajonesse]

Maybe the teacher isn't a great lecturer, or just doesn't teach how you like to learn... not much to do if its this other than talk to them.  Or the teacher has too many students not enough time..  The problem could just as well be yourself or more of the above.  In the case where it is your problem to solve though...

 

Half the battle is ensuring you are physically capable of doing so.  This includes but is not limited to getting enough sleep each night, having a decent meal, free of sickness, etc.  With strong time management skills this is easier to achieve.

 

The other half is a mental battle, chances are your problems are here.

 

First thing to do, if you have the ability to choose, choose classes you are interested in.  If you are in a primary or secondary school system you likely have little choice in this matter however.  Even in post-secondary education there may be incentive enough to take a class you would not otherwise (required credits in a degree for example).

In this situation you go from the choice of taking the class or not to another choice.  You can choose to roll over and let sleep take you in the class.  Admit to yourself that you are not mentally able to enjoy the class in any way and get on with it. If you fall into this, have fun motivating yourself enough to do well.  Or maybe you can pass it in your sleep, doesn't matter.  You still have to put up with an unknown number of hours of dulling your mental chisel.

 

Although it is a teacher's job in a way to try and get their students to be mentally motivated in their classes, when dealing with a large group of students (more than 10) this becomes difficult.  Most of the time they fall to a curriculum that can be summarized as "Do this work or fail" or, "This has a decent chance at getting most students interested, but requires too much energy to make sure all of them are."  There quite simply is not enough time to find the path for each individual student to take to mentally invest themselves in the class.

 

This brings me to the other choice you as a student have.  Take matters into your own hands, learning something takes work.  Take a bit of time to find a way to get interested in a class.  This will probably require a bit of research on your part, mentally slinging your mental chisel on multiple blocks until you find one that cracks.  Take the time to look at your interests and find a way to relate them to the subject.  Get a start on it then bring what you learn to the teacher.  At that point talk to them, you would be surprised how much a teacher truly invested in their subject can talk about it.  Even when it doesn't go along with the specific curriculum the school requires of them they will enjoy the fact that a student is interested in a part of their field.  Find the loose end you can grab onto in a subject then bring it back to what you have to learn at this point.  Ask them how you can relate what you are interested in to the materials at hand  The class itself might be a bit dull but you will have an easier time relating it to a part of the subject you enjoy.  This in turn helps you get mentally invested in the subject at hand, maybe helping your sleeping issue.

 

If nothing else it will at least help you become a better learner and help you take charge of your life. Do not let your mind dull without doing something about it.

 

Or you could always take up doodling...

 

 

Its too early for me to think...

 

 

 

[masaar1]

Try keeping a rubber band on your wrist and just pull it back slightly to give you a little snap, the action of pulling it repeatedly will occupy you and the slight pain will help too.

 

Also try taking notes, taking notes will require you to analyse the lecture and you also have to write it down.

 

If you are in a smaller class try asking questions and participating in discussion.

 

I assume you are not in college since you referred to your instructor as "teacher" and not "professor" so your options are a little more limited, but my suggestions should work.