Finish your reading assignments before class. When you have other things on your plate, it is easy to neglect assignments you don't have to turn in, especially reading assignments. Nevertheless, reading the night before or sooner helps you remember the material and think about new ideas presented in class.
Get a good night's sleep. Fighting drowsiness is a struggle that will hurt your performance in the classroom. Getting about nine hours of sleep a night consistently will help you stay alert and energetic throughout the day.
Eat well and exercise. Hunger is another classroom distraction that is easy to avoid. Eating full meals or at least snacking throughout the day can keep hunger from affecting your coursework. Avoid fried, fatty foods that will make you sluggish. Instead, opt for fresh colorful foods. Exercising, which goes hand in hand with a proper diet, will also keep you from feeling sluggish and bored in class. Keep in mind that while energy drinks can improve your concentration for a little while, they can also cause you to crash later on.
Doodle. According to a research study by the University of Plymouth, doodling can actually help curb the tendency to daydream. By engaging your hands instead of your mind, you'll cut out the white noise caused by aimless daydreaming, allowing you to focus more on what the teacher is saying.
Take involved notes. Don't copy notes from the board or jot down a bunch of information you already know. Take notes that are truly engaging. Listen carefully to your teacher for main points and new information and rewrite them in your own words. This will force you not only to hear the information but also to think about what is said and understand it for yourself.
Keep your eyes on the speaker. Looking out of the window on a bright sunny day is going to make your teacher seem boring in comparison. It is better to keep your eyes on the teacher while he or she is talking. A good teacher will pace, move, gesture and use a white board to help you stay engaged and thoughtful. You also will not be caught by surprise if your professor decides to call on you without warning.
Participate in class. Treating class like a social event where you can present your ideas, talk to your professor and listen to other students will make it more interesting. By completely engaging yourself in the material, you flex your critical thinking skills and improve your participation grade.