Many students experience boredom while attending lessons. The bells say 2:32 p.m., but you still have to sit in class until 3 p.m. The boredom of waiting for time to pass until the lesson is over makes one second feel like an hour. To make time feel shorter, do the following steps.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Distracting
Step 1. Spend time daydreaming
While waiting a few minutes before the bell rings, take the time to think about an activity you'd like to do after school or a place you'd visit if you could travel the world. Imagine that you are flying or have extraordinary powers. Fill the time by relaxing for a moment while imagining. Once you're focused on the lesson again, it turns out to be more time consuming than you thought.
Don't get carried away by imagination. To stay focused on the lesson, use the material being explained as part of the fantasy. For example: if you feel bored while studying math, imagine two robots attacking each other using a quadratic equation. This method helps you to follow the lesson calmly
Step 2. Draw cute pictures (doodles) in a notebook
If the teacher isn't around to see what you wrote, draw pictures in your notebook while the teacher is talking. You look like you're taking notes seriously when you stare at the notebook on the table, even though you're trying to pass the time faster.
Step 3. Enjoy creative writing activities
This method is more useful than making funny pictures. If the teacher doesn't look closely at the words you're writing, it looks like you're taking notes. Write a journal or message to a close friend. In addition, write short stories about certain objects in the classroom, such as the process of making a stapler.
Step 4. Rhyme
When the teacher explains, change the sentences into rhyming sentences. For example, after the teacher says: "In order for you to pass the exam, focus on studying", change it to: "Focus your attention while studying so that you pass the exam". In addition, you still pay attention to the material being explained.
Step 5. Count until the lesson is over
Decide in advance what you want to count, for example: the number of letters “s” or the word “Pay attention!” what the teacher said while teaching. By counting, you will stay awake and not notice the passage of time.
Method 2 of 3: Be a Responsible Student
Step 1. Prepare before entering the class
If you don't know the topic that will be covered, the lesson will feel very boring because you have difficulty understanding the material being explained. Time seems to slow down when you feel bored. On the other hand, lessons are more enjoyable, so time seems to go by faster if you're prepared.
- Complete homework and reading assignments before taking lessons. While waiting for the lesson to start, take the time to read past lesson notes to remember how far the material has been explained.
- Physical preparation for study is equally important. Get in the habit of eating breakfast, lunch, and a good night's sleep every day so you can focus your attention during your lessons.
Step 2. Interact with teachers and classmates
Share your opinion if you get the chance. Try to understand what is being said. If the teacher doesn't allow students to discuss in small groups, he or she may provide opportunities to ask and answer questions. To make time seem to pass quickly, involve yourself in class, instead of just sitting around boredom.
Step 3. Hone other people's listening skills
Participating in class doesn't mean just talking a lot. You also need to be able to be a good listener when other people talk.
Focus on listening to what the teacher or classmate has to say and ignore other voices. Don't let other sounds distract you, for example: the repeated tapping of a pencil, the crumpling of paper, or the sound of a car alarm in the parking lot. Focus only on the person speaking
Step 4. Take notes on the material being explained
Note-taking skills are not formed by themselves, but must be learned and practiced. The good news is, you have this opportunity while you are still in school.
- Focus on the main idea. It's impossible to jot down every word while the teacher is explaining, unless you can type really fast on a laptop. You only need to note the main idea of the material being explained. The teacher will usually emphasize the most important information several times, even telling the material to be noted.
- In addition, pay attention to the material listed on the board or slide because that information is also important.
Step 5. Record the information in your own words
To keep your mind active during the lesson, think about fun things. For example: remembering good memories or taking notes in words that are easier to understand. The course material is usually more difficult to understand if you take note of what the teacher says word for word. In addition, this method makes you feel bored faster because you don't have to think much. Instead, take notes in your own words as you will be more energized and able to understand more information.
- For example: when the teacher says: “One of the great wars of the 20th century was World War II”, you simply note: “The great war, 20th century, World War II”. Write only the things that are important, not the whole sentence.
- Use abbreviations you know what they mean so that you can write down more information.
Method 3 of 3: Coping With Boredom
Step 1. Make a time division
When you think about the length of a boring lesson, you immediately think of endless sessions. To overcome this, divide the duration of one subject into several short sessions so that time feels faster. However, you just need to do it mentally like you're playing a game to make the lesson feel faster.
For example: divide the session into “preface”, “listen to information”, “take notes”, “given homework”, “preparation to go home”. You can write down the session in a notebook and cross it out when you're done. Another way, divide the time by a certain duration, for example: the first 15 minutes, the second 15 minutes, and so on
Step 2. Think about why class is boring
Write down things that make you feel irritated or bored during class, such as because you don't like a certain subject, don't like sitting too long, or can't talk. Whatever the reason, just write it all down.
Step 3. Think of the best solution
If you don't like sitting too long, ask the teacher if you can take a break in the middle of the session so you can do some light stretching. If you are not interested in a particular subject, look for interesting things during the lesson. For example: if you are not interested in history lessons, read stories of heroes who lived during a certain period, instead of studying history in general.
- While you can't change everything that's boring while taking lessons, some things can. Discuss your problem with the teacher to find a solution. There are teachers who are not willing to make changes, but there are also those who are willing to help in various ways.
- If you want to discuss this with the teacher, do so outside of class. See the teacher after school to explain your problem. For example: “Good afternoon, Mr. Jono. I met you because I wanted to ask and find a solution. Even though the lessons aren't very long, I find it difficult to focus if I have to sit for long. It would be really helpful if I could move around a bit in the middle of the session. Friends seem to be experiencing the same thing. I can understand if you object. Thank you for being willing to think about this matter."
Step 4. Challenge yourself
Sometimes, you feel bored because you wait until your friends understand the material being explained. If that's the case, you might ask the teacher to give you a slightly challenging task to pass the time, for example by doing an assignment that makes you think and entertain at the same time.
Tips
- Ask the teacher for permission if you need to use your phone or study other subjects.
- Listen carefully when the teacher discusses important material.
- Go to the restroom every now and then to spend a few minutes. However, the teacher may not necessarily allow to prevent a “chain reaction” because another student will ask for permission and then the next student will do the same. Don't ask permission when the lesson is almost over or to take a break because the teacher will say: "Should be at recess" or "Wait until it's time to rest".
- Don't get into trouble for drawing a notebook or doing something to overcome boredom.
- Ask permission to go to the restroom so you can freshen up and stretch or go for a walk in the school area.
- Eating a snack, chewing gum, or sucking on mint-scented candy can free you from boredom and the habit of looking at the clock. Make sure the teacher allows it first!
- Don't just think about how boring it is or how long you have to take lessons.
- Complete as many tasks as possible. Sometimes, the teacher calls your name, but you don't understand what is being said. So, don't get distracted while taking lessons.
- Squeeze stress relief balls to beat boredom.
- Draw pictures on your feet or palms, but don't let the teacher see what you're doing.
