How to Stop Daydreaming in Class

Co-authored by Jai Flicker

Last Updated: October 26, 2024 Fact Checked

Staying focused during class can be challenging. Unfortunately, daydreaming can have a negative impact on your grades. If this is an issue for you, don't worry! By interacting in class and taking better care of yourself, you can cut down on the daydreaming and improve your academic performance.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Interacting In Class

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Sit at the front of the classroom. Being front and center will encourage you to give your undivided attention to the instructor.^{[1]
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Research source} That means no time for daydreaming, at least without risking getting caught.
- If you have assigned seating and are placed in the back, talk to your instructor. They will most likely let you switch your seat to one closer to the front.
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Take notes effectively. Write down key points instead of just copying the board word for word. This will give you more time to engage in class, instead of doing monotonous work.^{[2]
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- Make sure that your note taking is tailored to keeping you active during class. Find out if you feel more comfortable highlighting key points or creating dual entry notes. Different styles of note taking will help keep you active and attentive during the lecture.
- Review your previous notes to make sure you are up to date with the current lecture. Try to find some connections between previous lessons and today's. This will help you feel more confident with your lesson and keep that daydreaming at bay.
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Raise your hand. Put your hand up to answer questions and don't be afraid to ask some yourself if you don't understand. When you know the material and participate in class, you won’t be as tempted to daydream.
- Participating in class doesn’t mean that you always have to have your hand up. Answer only when you have something meaningful to contribute, but make sure you’re recognized. This way you can be held accountable when you start to doze off.
Ask to use the restroom and take that time to stretch a little or drink some water. This will allow you to focus when you get back to class. Go back to class with the mindset of asking questions and engaging.^{[3]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Preparing Your Body And Mind

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Pick brain foods. Foods that are full of nutrients such as antioxidants, Vitamin E, Omega-3 oils and magnesium will give you long lasting energy. When you choose foods that stimulate attentiveness and give you energy you’ll be more prepared to engage in class and not daydream.^{[4]
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Trustworthy Source

Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public

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- Avoid food with high sugar and fat content. These types of food will cause you to have a sugar high where your body will immediately expend the energy and then come crashing down when your body has burned all the possible energy. So don’t pick up that sugary cereal or doughnut first thing in the morning as it won’t give you the long lasting energy you need to maintain focus and concentration.
- Choose foods like whole grains that are full of good carbs to keep your energy up.^{[5]
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  Research source} When you pick up healthier foods like a whole grain steel cut oatmeal, you won’t be daydreaming about lunchtime.
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Drink water. If you want to be able to focus and not daydream you need to prepare you body as much as possible, just like you would a marathon.
- If you’re not properly hydrated you can suffer from poor concentration and headaches.
- Being thirsty will also draw your focus away from whatever task you have in front of you and lead to distractions like daydreaming.
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Make time for daydreaming in more appropriate settings. While daydreaming in class isn’t a good idea, daydreaming is good for you.^{[6]
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Research source} Take some time for yourself to relax. When you prepare your mind and body you’ll be better suited to keep focus and not daydream.
- Using a planner or calendar application can help you map out your day- including that free time. It’ll help you get into routine before you are used to it.
- You can try yoga, taking a nap, watching something on Netflix, or listening to some music. Having a leisurely activity planned in your day will give you a stress free outlet as a reward for maintaining focus throughout the day.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Getting Enough Rest

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Make sure that you get plenty of sleep. The most common reason why we daydream is because we are often tired, and our concentration begins to wander somewhere else. Starting a good sleep cycle and routine can guarantee feeling more focused throughout the day.
- Sleeping eight hours a night is the most beneficial for prime focus power the following day. However, for some people the right amount of sleep can vary between 6 hours to 9 hours. Find what amount of hours is best for you so that you can work it into your routine.^{[7]
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  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
  
  Go to source}
- How sleepy and awake a person feels is controlled by the body’s circadian rhythm, which is really just a way of saying that human body will feel dips of tiredness and fatigue throughout the day naturally.^{[8]
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  Research source} If you’ve had enough sleep you won’t feel as tired during these dips.
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Avoid using any technology that emits blue light. The blue light emitted from technology suppresses your brains production of melatonin. This chemical is what controls your sleep cycle.^{[9]
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Trustworthy Source

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services

Go to source} While you might think you got enough sleep, if your brain doesn’t produce the right chemicals to truly let it rest, you’ll still be tired the next day. Getting the right amount of sleep also entails making sure your brain has time to rest.
- Blue light is emitted by most technology that we use in everyday life. Such as laptops televisions and cellphones.
- If you need to check your cellphone android and apple offer amber light applications that allow you to use your technology at night without keeping your brain awake all night.
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Start a routine. It might be hard at first but the best way to always get the right amount of sleep is through routine. Going to sleep at the same time every night will help your body know when it’s time to shut off and refuel for the next day.
- When you first start creating your routine you’ll need to take some extra steps to get yourself feeling sleepy. Drink some herbal tea such as chamomile, or read a book.
- Even with routine you might not get your full nights rest to keep those daydreams at bay. Embrace that you might have a tough day ahead of you and put your best foot forward.

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Tips

If you're regularly distracted in class, you may not be challenged enough. If a course is too easy for you, you're probably going to get bored. Ask your teachers or guidance counselor if it would be possible to switch to a more advanced class.^{[10]
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Expert Source

Jai Flicker
Academic Tutor

Expert Interview. 30 June 2020.}

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Keep a bottle with water with you to keep yourself hydrated.

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Try to draw connections from your past notes so that you keep your mind active.

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