With one year of online classes and virtual learning officially completed, it's safe to say that many students have developed routines for navigating the seas of COVID's influence on the world of education.

Students have seen and done it all, from signing on and off of Zoom to engaging in breakout rooms to working cooperatively with classmates entirely through digital methods to accomplish projects.

However, one area in which I have seen students struggle is conquering the issue of keeping focused throughout online sessions, internalizing the content, and avoiding general exhaustion.

And who can blame them?

Sitting through hours of lectures and debates each day, just to "log off" of class to sit in front of the computer for even longer (for who knows how many more hours) to complete homework, work on assignments, and study seems like waiting at the corner for the struggle bus.

Although many high school and college students are returning to in-person studying where it is secure (good! ), these challenges must be addressed.

So, without further ado, here are my top suggestions for not just staying awake in class, but also maintaining attentiveness and avoiding academic fatigue.

How to Stay Awake in Class

Tip #1: Go to sleep earlier, and focus on getting quality sleep

Many students have developed a habit of staying up late (or later than normal) because getting out of bed (or staying in) for class in the morning simply entails rolling out of bed (or staying in) and starting the computer.

However, going to bed late and waking up late for days, weeks, or even months can be damaging to your ability to obtain a good night's sleep and, ultimately, function in class.

By going to bed earlier, you give your body more time to go through REM sleep, which is critical for activating your brain and sustaining high levels of cognition, making you more productive during the day.

Another point I'd like to bring up is the usage of electronics before going to bed. Most of us spend our nights on our phones, laptops, or both until we fall asleep.

This can have a detrimental effect on our sleep quality, which, as you might expect, can have an impact on our capacity to remain awake, absorb information, and be productive in class.

So, if possible, consider turning off your gadgets at least 30 minutes before going to bed (and set your phone to night time mode so the screen isn't as harsh on your eyes in the evening!).

Although this first piece of advice may seem obvious, try it for a few nights and I guarantee you'll notice a difference.

Tip #2: Choose your workspace wisely

When I initially started taking virtual classes last spring, I found myself largely attending from the comfort of my bed. However, I immediately realized that this was a formula for disaster since I would either be unable to focus during lectures or fall asleep in class (whoops).

So, if possible, get used to attending class in the same way you would if you were physically in the classroom: sitting at a desk or a table.

I believe that sitting on a chair is one of the simplest methods to help me focus since I am less likely to fall asleep if I am sitting!

Also, I strongly advise you to pick a place to sit that is close to natural light, or, honestly, any light source. If your home or workspace isn't extremely bright, it might quickly make your eyes fatigued as you try to follow along and/or understand the information on your screen.

If you have little natural light and indoor illumination isn't cutting it, consider purchasing a light box.

Light therapy lamps, often known as cheerful lights, emit 10,000 lumens (more than 20 times stronger than a 60w light bulb) that you may bask in throughout the day to boost alertness. It can even help you restore your circadian cycle and sleep better.

Tip #3: Keep your phone out of reach

When I'm working on tasks, my phone is the number one item that keeps me from being as productive as possible. And I know I'm not the only one!

As you may know or expect, it might be tough to concentrate during a lecture when your phone is right next to you. Try to approach this, in the same manner, you would if you were in a school.

Since most teachers don't like it when students have their phones out during class, bring that rule home and apply it here right now (yes, even if your camera is turned off!).

When I was in completely online classes, I discovered that simply having my phone in the room was an issue. If this describes you, I recommend keeping it completely out of reach and sight to stay focused.

Tip #4: Block distracting websites

"OK, so my phone is out of sight, but I'm still sitting in front of my computer," you may be thinking. "How can THAT not distract me?!?"

Fortunately, I have an answer! It's called Self Control and it's a Chrome add-on.

When you download it (for free! ), it allows you to add websites to your "block list" and then invites you to pick how long you want to block those websites for.

Then, after you press the magic button, you won't be able to visit any of the websites on your block list until the timer runs out! This extension is ideal for both class and study time since it minimizes distractions and keeps you focused and aware of the issue at hand.

Tip #5: Take breaks when you feel yourself losing steam

One of the main reasons I've heard from students for feeling burnt out and unable to remain awake in class is that they don't take enough breaks when they need them.

This is something that speaks to me. When I was a student, I felt like there was so much cultural pressure to always be studying and "on the grind" that even taking a little vacation seemed like I was doing something wrong or putting myself behind.

This couldn't be more backward, because it was my failure to take breaks when my brain required them that was leading me to fall behind.

So, my advice is to not wait until you are completely exhausted before taking a rest.

Rather, attempt to be proactive about it. If you take the break when you feel you're just starting to need it (and utilize it wisely as a time to eat, hydrate extra, and exercise your body), you'll be in a great position to return to class and perform at your best.

Tip #6: Avoid copious amounts of caffeine

One of the main reasons I've heard from students for feeling burnt out and unable to remain awake in class is that they don't take enough breaks when they need them.

This is something that speaks to me. When I was a student, I felt like there was so much cultural pressure to always be studying and "on the grind" that even taking a little vacation seemed like I was doing something wrong or putting myself behind.

This couldn't be more backward, because it was my failure to take breaks when my brain required them that was leading me to fall behind.

So, my advice is to not wait until you are completely exhausted before taking a rest.

Rather, attempt to be proactive about it. If you take the break when you feel you're just starting to need it (and utilize it wisely as a time to eat, hydrate extra, and exercise your body), you'll be in a great position to return to class and perform at your best.

Wrapping up

I'm not going to lie: virtual learning is a difficult environment to navigate and manage. It will not always be easy, and it will have its ups and downs like anything else.

However, if you can identify the areas where you're failing in terms of productivity and attention and pinpoint potential remedies, you're already one step closer to making the required adjustments!

I hope these suggestions for staying awake during an online class help you prevent falling asleep in future lectures. Please leave a comment if you have any other tips.