REALLY need help: How do I stay awake during class?

[Lucidity]

I just started the nursing program and my professors already hate me because I keep falling asleep during class. Classes are from 8 - 11 every day, with a couple five minute breaks. It's really not that bad but I can't seem to stay awake during class! I've been going to bed by 10 or 11, and when i get up at 7 in the morning I feel like I got a good nights sleep, but when I sit in class I slip right off to sleep after about 30 minutes. I sit in the second row so I'm near the front, I started drinking coffee during class (and i HATE coffee), Ive been eating healthy breakfasts (fruit, oatmeal, eggs), I even just started getting up at 630 in the morning to go to the gym for 30 mins to hopefully get my body more awake, and I just fall asleep sooner! I don't know what to do!! It's so pathetic but I just get so tired from sitting in class for 3 hours. Ive resorted to pricking myself in the knee with a needle pin whenever I feel myself getting really tired. Its been the most helpful thing so far but I can't keep doing that. Does anyone have any special tips or tricks that have helped them stay awake during class?

[californiarnbsn]

My classes 5 hours long so i definitely understand where you are coming from as far as getting tired and sleepy in class. I too had resorted to coffee during school to keep me awake. What I did was go to bed a lot earlier like 8 or 9 since my classes started at 7am. Also bring water with you to keep yourself hydrated. I had even wrote my notes in different colors to make it more fun and engage my creativity side so that I wasn't just sitting and listening to long lectures. During breaks i made sure to walk and stretch so i could get the blood flowing. Its different for everyone I've noticed but those few changes truly helped me get through those long classes.

[runforfun]

first of all, record your lectures, you are missing stuff before you fall asleep too.

beyond that

chew gum

more coffee

something crunchy to chew on i.e. ice (yes, bad for your teeth) chips, popcorn, etc.

drink cold water

take detailed notes

fidget

Bring your book and try to keep up with what the professor is talking about in the book or look up words you don't know as they go

If all else fails

get out your phone and play a quick game or send a text when you start to get tired or doodle on your notes, make a to do list for the day/week, make a grocery list-pretty much just switch gears for a second. Yes, this could be considered rude, and no, it's not the best way to catch everything in lecture, but you should be recording, and being distracted for 1-2 minutes is way better than sleeping for 15+.

[LCinTraining]

We are not allowed to record because of examples and HIPAA but I doodle. I scribble and draw until I hear something that is worthy of note taking and write it down. I take very detailed notes so it keeps me engaged in the class.

[metal_m0nk, BSN, RN]

Interact. Ask questions. Take notes. Draw diagrams.

[GracyMae]

Be proactive in class - take notes, listen intently, get really interested in the subject matter, ask questions, contribute comments.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

I have a completely different take. Approach your instructors and HUMBLY explain your problem. THEN ask permission to switch seats to the rear of the room - and when you fell yourself getting sleepy, STAND UP - with their permission. By sitting in the back, you will not disturb anyone by standing. It REALLY helps.

My LPN program (30+ years ago) had eight hour classes three days a week. I stood during about half of that time. I had a clipboard on which to take notes. It saved my fanny, seriously.

[metal_m0nk, BSN, RN]

I have a completely different take. Approach your instructors and HUMBLY explain your problem. THEN ask permission to switch seats to the rear of the room - and when you fell yourself getting sleepy, STAND UP - with their permission. By sitting in the back, you will not disturb anyone by standing. It REALLY helps.

My LPN program (30+ years ago) had eight hour classes three days a week. I stood during about half of that time. I had a clipboard on which to take notes. It saved my fanny, seriously.

Interesting suggestion. I can see how that could really do the trick!

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

I do this in meetings and conferences now.

[Twinmom06, ASN, APN]

um...honest opinion - get yourself checked for sleep apnea - I thought I was getting a decent nights sleep too - until I went for a sleep study (part of a cardiac workup that wound up negative) and found out I was having 450 episodes of hypopnea and apnea in a 6 hour period - cpap changed my life!!! if you're getting 8+ hours of sleep per night then you should be able to stay awake through a 3 hour lecture...