How To Kill Time In Class: 12+ Semi-Productive Ways
We've all been in that class where it's hard to stay awake. The teacher talks and talks, but you already get it. Or maybe, you just can't focus, no matter how hard you try. I'm a senior in college, and I've got some tips on how to kill time in class. These are ways to keep your brain busy without looking like you're not paying attention. They're fun and easy, and they'll help you get through those long lectures.
12 Ways To Kill Time in Class (bonus at the end)
- Read an E-Book
- Mindful Doodling
- Plan Your Week
- Listen to Educational Podcasts
- Write a Short Story
- Learn a New Language
- Solve Puzzles
- Meditation and Breathing Exercises
- Research a New Topic
- Craft To-Do Lists
- Sketching
- Brainstorming Future Goals
- 15 More Fun and Random Activities
1. Read an E-Book
Why It's Great: E-books provide a quiet, engaging way to immerse yourself in various subjects or stories. They offer a chance to expand your knowledge or escape into different worlds without leaving your seat.
E-books are great for self-improvement and education. They can range from classic literature to contemporary research, catering to all interests.
E-Book Recommendations:
- The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg - Explores how habits shape our lives and how they can be changed for personal growth.
- Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari - An insightful look into the history of human evolution and civilization.
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - A timeless classic that delves into human behavior and prejudice.
- The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss - Offers strategies for living more and working less, focusing on personal efficiency.
2. Mindful Doodling
Why It's Great: Doodling isn't just a way to pass the time; it can be a form of mindfulness. It helps in reducing stress and boosting creativity, offering a quiet and introspective break from routine classwork.
Doodling can also improve memory and concentration. Studies have shown that doodling during listening tasks can enhance recall. It's a productive way to keep your brain active while sitting in class.
Doodle Ideas:
- Zentangles: Structured patterns that are calming to draw.
- Character Sketches: Bring your favorite fictional characters to life.
- Nature Scenes: Sketch trees, flowers, or landscapes for a peaceful break.
- Abstract Art: Let your imagination run wild with shapes and forms.
3. Plan Your Week
Why It's Great: Using downtime to plan your week can significantly boost your productivity and reduce stress. It's an opportunity to organize your academic, personal, and extracurricular activities, ensuring you stay on top of your commitments.
Effective planning helps you prioritize tasks and manage your time better. It can also provide a sense of accomplishment as you check off completed tasks, keeping you motivated throughout the week.
Planning Tips:
- Identify Key Tasks: Highlight the most important tasks for the week.
- Set Realistic Goals: Break down large tasks into smaller, achievable steps.
- Allocate Time for Leisure: Balance work with relaxation to avoid burnout.
- Review and Adjust: At the end of the week, review your plan and adjust for the next week.
4. Listen to Educational Podcasts
Why It's Great: Podcasts are an excellent way to gain new knowledge or insights into various topics. They are perfect for auditory learners and can be a discreet way to engage your mind in class without causing any disruption.
From history to science, to self-improvement, podcasts cover a wide range of subjects. They can also help improve your listening skills and expose you to different perspectives and ideas.
Podcast Recommendations:
- Stuff You Should Know: Explores a variety of interesting topics.
- How I Built This: Insights into the journeys of successful entrepreneurs.
- Science Vs: Debunks myths and uncovers truths in science.
- The Daily: Quick updates on current events and news stories.
5. Write a Short Story
Why It's Great: Writing a short story in class is a fantastic way to harness your creativity. It enhances your writing skills, encourages imaginative thinking, and can be a delightful escape from routine classroom activities.
Story writing also improves language and expression abilities. It allows you to explore different characters, settings, and plots, providing a creative outlet for your thoughts and emotions.
Story Writing Tips:
- Start with a Clear Theme: Choose a theme or message for your story.
- Create Engaging Characters: Develop characters with unique personalities and backgrounds.
- Build a Compelling Plot: Plan a beginning, middle, and end with interesting twists.
- Use Descriptive Language: Make your story vivid and engaging with descriptive details.
6. Learn a New Language
Why It's Great: Learning a new language in class is not only a productive use of time, but it also enhances cognitive skills and cultural understanding. It opens up new opportunities for communication and can be an asset in both personal and professional life.
Language learning increases brain flexibility and improves memory. It's also a fun and challenging way to engage your mind during downtime in class.
Language Learning Tips:
- Use Language Apps: Apps like Duolingo or Babbel offer interactive lessons.
- Learn Useful Phrases: Focus on phrases that you can use in daily conversations.
- Practice Regularly: Consistent practice is key to language retention.
- Listen to Language Podcasts: Enhance your listening skills and pronunciation.
7. Solve Puzzles
Why It's Great: Solving puzzles like Sudoku or crosswords during class is a brain-boosting activity. It improves your problem-solving skills, enhances concentration, and offers a satisfying challenge.
Puzzles can also provide a mental break while keeping your brain engaged in a productive way. They're a quiet activity that can be easily paused and resumed as needed.
Puzzle Types to Try:
- Sudoku: Great for number skills and logical thinking.
- Crosswords: Expand your vocabulary and general knowledge.
- Word Searches: Fun for improving pattern recognition.
- Logic Puzzles: Develop critical thinking and reasoning skills.
8. Meditation and Breathing Exercises
Why It's Great: Practicing meditation and breathing exercises in class is excellent for reducing stress and improving focus. These practices promote mental clarity and can help in maintaining calmness during busy school days.
Meditation can also enhance self-awareness and emotional health. Breathing exercises are particularly useful for quick relaxation and can be done discreetly at your desk.
Techniques to Try:
- Guided Meditation: Use apps for short, guided sessions.
- Deep Breathing: Focus on slow, deep breaths to relax the mind and body.
- Visualization: Imagine a peaceful scene to calm your thoughts.
- Mindfulness: Stay present and aware of your surroundings and feelings.
9. Research a New Topic
Why It's Great: Researching a new topic in class allows you to expand your knowledge and satisfy your curiosity. It's a productive way to explore subjects you're interested in but might not learn about in your regular curriculum.
This activity can spark new interests and even influence your future academic or career choices. It also helps develop research skills, which are valuable in many aspects of life.
How to Start:
- Choose Topics of Interest: Start with something you're curious about.
- Use Reliable Sources: Look for information on educational websites or digital libraries.
- Take Notes: Jot down interesting facts and ideas.
- Discuss with Peers or Teachers: Share and expand your knowledge through discussions.
10. Craft To-Do Lists
Why It's Great: Creating to-do lists in class is an excellent way to organize your thoughts and tasks. It helps in managing your time efficiently and reduces the feeling of being overwhelmed by assignments and deadlines.
To-do lists provide a clear overview of what needs to be done, allowing you to prioritize tasks effectively. They can also be satisfying, as crossing off completed tasks offers a sense of accomplishment.
List-Making Tips:
- Break Down Tasks: Divide larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps.
- Prioritize: Arrange tasks by urgency and importance.
- Set Deadlines: Assign realistic deadlines to keep on track.
- Review and Update: Regularly update your list to reflect new tasks or changes.
11. Sketching
Why It's Great: Sketching in class is a creative and calming activity. It allows you to express your artistic side and can be a quiet, introspective way to pass the time. Sketching improves hand-eye coordination and visual analysis skills.
It's also a form of visual note-taking, which can be useful for remembering concepts and ideas discussed in class. Plus, sketching can be a great way to visually brainstorm and organize your thoughts.
Sketching Ideas:
- Classroom Still Life: Draw objects or scenes around the classroom.
- Conceptual Art: Sketch abstract concepts or ideas from your studies.
- Personal Interests: Draw subjects that interest you, like animals, nature, or architecture.
- Visual Notes: Use sketches to complement your written notes.
12. Brainstorming Future Goals
Why It's Great: Brainstorming your future goals in class is an empowering and forward-thinking activity. It helps you set clear objectives for your personal, academic, and career aspirations. This process can provide direction and motivation, keeping you focused on long-term achievements.
Setting goals also encourages self-reflection and personal growth. It helps you understand your strengths, interests, and areas where you can improve.
Goal-Setting Tips:
- Be Specific: Define clear, precise goals.
- Think Long-Term: Consider where you want to be in five or ten years.
- Make it Achievable: Set realistic and attainable goals.
- Create Action Plans: Outline steps to achieve each goal.
Fun and Random Ways to Kill Time in Class
- Invent your own alphabet.
- Create a comic strip about your day.
- Make a dream vacation itinerary.
- Design a new board game.
- Write a short fairy tale.
- List your dream jobs.
- Sketch an imaginary world map.
- Write a song about your class.
- Create your superhero persona.
- Plan your ideal day.
- List your favorite book characters.
- Make a list of things you're grateful for.
- Invent a new sport.
- Write a mystery story.
- Draw your favorite meal.
