Buzz
Sometimes, you may find your classes unbearably boring, and it feels like time is standing still. Fortunately, even during the dullest lessons, you can discover some fun activities to help pass the time. Whether you want to invent a game, write a story, decorate your notebook, or try to stay focused in class, with a little effort, you can make school time more enjoyable.
Steps
Entertainment During Class
Secretly read magazines, comics, or novels. Choose a book or magazine that's small enough to fit into your textbook for easy, discreet reading. Just remember to glance up occasionally to check if the teacher is walking around the classroom and act as if you're focused on the lesson.
Tip: The simplest choice is to pick a small-sized magazine, paperback novel, or comic book with a soft cover.
Learn to spin a pencil around your thumb. Start by selecting a smooth, sturdy pencil and figure out how to balance it on your fingers. Then, hold the pencil between your thumb and index finger, and use your middle finger to spin it around your thumb. Make sure to catch it when it comes back into your palm!
- This skill takes practice, making it a great way to pass the time.
- Keep in mind that you might drop the pencil a few times when you first learn. It's best to try this out sitting toward the back of the classroom!
Invite a friend to play a small game. You can enjoy yourself by counting how many students are wearing jackets or guessing which teacher will call someone to the board. If you're sitting next to a friend, quietly place bets on what will happen next.
- Try to make up light and fun games. Always be polite and respectful to your classmates, especially when they are concentrating on the lesson.
Chew gum or suck on candy. If your teacher permits snacks during class, you can chew gum or have some candy when you're feeling bored. It’ll give you something to do and help you stay alert. You could even turn it into a game by closing your eyes and trying to guess the flavor of different candies.
Tip: Eating candy can raise your blood sugar a little, helping you stay awake and focused during class.
Play with a computer or tablet if permitted. In computer-based classes or advanced lessons, you may be allowed to use a laptop or tablet to take notes and complete assignments. During a dull class, take advantage of this opportunity to have some fun by browsing social media or playing a small game like Minesweeper or Snake. However, be mindful that others nearby might see your screen, so avoid visiting suspicious websites.
- If you're not allowed to bring a laptop or tablet to class, be cautious when using one. Tablets and laptops are often hard to hide, and if the teacher catches you, they will confiscate them immediately.
- Remember to mute the sound on your device to avoid disturbing others. In a computer class, you might ask your teacher if it's okay to wear headphones.
Secretly text your friends during class. This is a risky move if you're not allowed to use phones in class. Keep your phone hidden by placing it in your desk drawer, in your pencil case, or behind a book. You should only send short messages that you can type without looking at the keyboard, like "This class is so boring."
Tip: If the teacher is coming near your desk, make sure you have somewhere to hide your phone.
Write or draw during class
Do homework from another subject. If you’re given English homework or simple geometry problems, place the homework on top of your current notes. Complete the tasks quickly without being noticed and glance up at the board occasionally, as though you're taking notes.
- If you're worried about having your homework confiscated, ask the teacher if it's okay to work on assignments from other subjects during their class. Some teachers allow this once you've finished the day's work.
Write a to-do list or weekly schedule. If you have a lot on your mind, use a boring class to jot down a to-do list and clear your mind. This is the perfect time to outline deadlines for upcoming projects or create a study schedule for your exams. You can make separate lists for each subject or create one long list for all subjects and activities.
- Creating lists can spark creativity and help relieve stress about upcoming essays or tests.
- Feel free to make a list about anything you want. For example, you can list your top 10 favorite movies or books!
Use colored pens to doodle and decorate your notebook. If you’ve written a lot of notes and feel like you can't focus any longer, go over your notes. Highlight key sections, underline important information for the test, and draw illustrations to help visualize key concepts and data. These drawings and markings can help reinforce the material when reviewing.
- This is a way to make time fly by and stay engaged with the lesson while having fun!
- You can also doodle patterns, circles, or any images on the margins of your pages. Most teachers don't mind a few small drawings as they keep you busy without causing distractions in class.
Write a short story in your notebook. Start brainstorming a story about your favorite fictional character, a celebrity you admire, or even yourself! Just start writing and let your thoughts flow freely to create a short story. Be sure to glance at the board occasionally so the teacher thinks you’re taking notes.
Tip: If you enjoy writing, consider bringing a separate notebook for your short stories. Whenever you feel bored in class, you can pull it out and continue the unfinished story!
Try to stay focused
Take detailed notes to stay focused during lessons. If you understand the lecture content, the class will feel less boring. Print out outlines (if available) and bring along audio-visual materials that support learning. These resources and textbooks will help you take notes while the teacher is explaining the lesson.
- Be sure to write down any questions you have regarding the lesson. You can ask the teacher for clarification at the end of the class or after school.
- You can take notes in any style that works best for you. Whether it's bullet points, brief summaries, headings, subheadings, or a combination of all of these, choose the method that helps you the most.
Make note-taking fun
Use a colored pen that you like.
Add bullet points to list important ideas.
Draw pictures and diagrams of complex topics to make them easier to understand.
Type up your notes after class to review the information.
Pay close attention to the teacher and follow the lesson. Even if it’s not the most interesting subject, this approach helps shorten the time spent on homework and reduces struggles with exams. If you find it too boring or feel too lazy to take notes, focus on listening to the teacher or following along in the textbook.
- If you have trouble focusing, you can ask the teacher to sit at the front. That way, you’ll always be aware that the teacher is watching you.
Participate in discussions and ask questions during class. Time will pass faster when you're actively engaging in the lesson. Ask questions about the topics you don't understand or offer a different perspective from your classmates. Volunteering for group activities or presentations lets the teacher know you're interested in the lesson.
- When you need to ask a question, make eye contact with the teacher and raise your hand. Most teachers won't mind if you need further clarification because they want students to grasp the lesson well.
Take advantage of group activities to chat with your classmates. In some cases, the teacher will allow students to form pairs or small groups to complete a project, classwork, or homework. Use this time to discuss the lesson with your classmates and ask them about anything you're unsure of. Once your group completes the assignment ahead of schedule, you can talk about other topics!If you understand the subject being studied, you can also help classmates who need more information to grasp the material. This is a great way to engage with the topic and enjoy it more.
Advice
- Use high-quality pens or pencils to write your notes. Bringing a laptop into class could distract other students.
- Always pay attention when the teacher assigns homework or essays at the end of the class. If you miss this information, you'll have to ask your classmates what needs to be done.
- Prepare a separate notebook for note-taking. While the teacher is lecturing, you can write down questions related to the lesson. Challenge yourself with these questions. They will be useful for the test.
