How to remain awake in a hot afternoon class

15^th August 2011 its start of semester at Daystar University Athi-River Campus. I’m excited to be back to school; after all it’s my final semester. I hope you understand what I mean; having been in Daystar since January 2008 will electrify any student. Think of the assignments, the heat and the crucial of them all; three hour classes. I still can’t believe how I manage to endure these classes thus far.

I never thought of it looking from the outset. But after some serious scrutiny into my three or so years stay in Daystar, I know better. That’s why I find it necessary to share with you eight simple steps that you can apply to help you concentrate in a three hour class.

1. Enough rest: According to Sasson cutting sleep robs your body the rest it needs to recharge. Too little sleep also makes handling everyday stress much harder. Just like the three hour class could. Ensure to get enough sleep of at least six hours in 24 hours. Lack of sleep is also known to leave you with impaired work performance, lacklustre thinking skills and questionable judgement. If you’re cutting sleep don’t do it over long term. Catch up as soon as you can. So if you want to enjoy three hour lectures be sure to check on your sleeping patterns and adjust appropriately.

2. Eat sparingly: When I was in high school my biology teacher used to tell us, “don’t eat a lot of ugali.” This is because digestion of food especially starchy foods and meats takes a lot of time and energy to digest. As a result slows down other functions of the body. Sugars contained in starch are important for provision of energy that your brain needs. However, too much of it will surely slow your concentration levels. If you want to enjoy your three hour class, eat enough food to sustain you till the next meal time.

3. Gain positive attitude: Positive attitude helps cope more easily with the affair of life. “I know I will enjoy that class today”, how many times have you said this to yourself? Try it today, even for that class you perceive boring. It is very effective. Positive attitude involves motivating yourself, being inspired, believing in yourself and in your abilities.

4. Get in class early: Early arrival in class helps you adjust to the class environment and also enables your body cool off after walking from one place to another. This also assures you enough time to settle down and gauge if you are prone to sleep and devise measures to curb it, like opening the windows wide or taking a nap before class start.

5. Take a bottle of cold water to class: Water is very essential for hydrating and cooling off your body from heat. Every time you find out that your concentration is deviating, take a sip of water. By doing this it causes the body to jump-start through a process called homeostasis. Homeostasis is the maintenance of inside and outside environment. The body being warm and water cold, it causes your body to device means of adjusting to sudden change thus activating other body functions controlled by the brain.

6. Sit next to a student who asks questions in class: Social learning theory states that human being adopt behavior that they see around and closer to them. A student who asks questions in class will prompt you to ask questions or keep you in check whenever you seem to lose your concentration. Anytime a question is asked, the class and the lecturer will always focus on the student posing a question thus forcing you to pay attention in class.

7. Prepare early for class: Early preparation helps you digest and interact with the material before class. This will enable you enjoy class session since the information will not be new to you. New information at times can be boring and can cause you to lose your concentration in class.

8. Have a break when necessary: If your concentration level dwindles, take a five minute break from class. A break enables your brain focus on another activity which activates it. Consequently, it recoups your concentration levels.