When I was home a couple of weeks ago, I took these pictures of my mom's garden. She always has a big one. One of those signs that summer is coming.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
May and My Mother's Garden
I was surprised when I saw this was only the second blog entry of the month--and the month is almost over. Things have been hectic lately. I started a new job at a student cafeteria--the BYU Cannon Center--where I work as a cook. I'm half way through my "new" set of classes, including economics, which takes up a whole lot of time. I moved at the beginning of this term, too. I'm living with a friend of mine--one roommate is so much calmer than five.
When I was home a couple of weeks ago, I took these pictures of my mom's garden. She always has a big one. One of those signs that summer is coming.
When I was home a couple of weeks ago, I took these pictures of my mom's garden. She always has a big one. One of those signs that summer is coming.
Friday, May 9, 2008
How To Stay Awake in Class
A few months ago I nearly had a crisis of faith when I realized the utility of coffee. I'm Mormon, so I don't drink it or tea. But during one particularly hectic week when I hadn't been getting to bed on time and was falling asleep during yet another thing I was supposed to stay awake for, my revelation came: "Oh," it went. "So this is why people drink coffee." A montage of the classes and meetings I struggled to stay awake for flashed through my mind--including the lesson in fourth grade about the Silk Road that I nodded off in, and the meeting in Neuchâtel on the implementation of the European Language Portfolio in Romance-language Switzerland that I had been specially invited to.
Well, since then, I think I am learning to handle it. During the last semester and this new term, I have tried out several methods for staying awake during class. I present my findings. The ratings for these methods are as follows:
1. Getting enough sleep the night before ***
It helps, but for me, it doesn't eliminate those heavy-eyelid spells that happen in class or when studying. It definitely makes it easier to get out of bed when my alarm goes off though.
2. Chewing gum *
10 minutes in to every Spanish Civilization class, I would put in a piece--it didn't do any good.
3. Standing up in the back of the classroom**
I've only used this when I was observing high school Spanish classes in the Fall (which gets old fast). I almost fell asleep on my feet.
4. Drink of water*
I usually have a water bottle with me...it doesn't really help, though.
5. Snack**
It helps, but the effects aren't long-lasting. And I find it very disrespectful to eat in class--it's best avoided, I think.
6. Leaving the room for a quick walkabout**
The effects don't last, plus it's disruptive to get up and walk out.
7. Head-on-book nap before class ****
I was complaining to some people about my problem and all the things I had been trying, and a kid told me the only way his brother could stay awake in one of his classes was if he went twenty minutes early and took a nap. This revolutionized how I thought about staying awake--now instead of fighting it, if I'm drowsy I put my head down for five or ten minutes. Lots more effective than a lot of the other stuff I've tried.
8. Flexing muscles****
Flex and hold abs, calves, whatever. It keeps you awake and you burn a few calories, too. It gets old fast, though.
9. Quick mid-class nap****
Sleeping in class is definitely even more disrespectful than eating in class. Not only is it downright insulting to the instructor, but why even bother going if you're just going to sleep
through it? But I've found in my Econ class this term, if I close my eyes for five minutes, I can pay attention to the rest of the lecture after that. I slouch down in my seat so I can lean my head on the back--eliminates nodding. Econ is in a big lecture hall, though. If it's a small class (eg, one where the professor corrects your work/tests him or herself and/or knows your name and/or can ask you questions directly), this is definitely not an option.
10. Talking to your neighbor***
You stay awake and make new friends.
11. Participating in class***
The whole reason I want to stay awake in classes so badly is because I want to learn. That's why I'm doing this whole school thing, after all. I really do enjoy it, and I am trying to squeeze as much learning and good experiences out of my time at college as I can. I prefer being invisible in classes, but I realized yesterday, while sitting in class, that raising my hand will not just help me learn--it will help keep me from missing out because I was tired.
Well, since then, I think I am learning to handle it. During the last semester and this new term, I have tried out several methods for staying awake during class. I present my findings. The ratings for these methods are as follows:
Not effective: *
Somewhat effective: **
Effective: ***
Very effective: ****
Somewhat effective: **
Effective: ***
Very effective: ****
1. Getting enough sleep the night before ***
It helps, but for me, it doesn't eliminate those heavy-eyelid spells that happen in class or when studying. It definitely makes it easier to get out of bed when my alarm goes off though.
2. Chewing gum *
10 minutes in to every Spanish Civilization class, I would put in a piece--it didn't do any good.
3. Standing up in the back of the classroom**
I've only used this when I was observing high school Spanish classes in the Fall (which gets old fast). I almost fell asleep on my feet.
4. Drink of water*
I usually have a water bottle with me...it doesn't really help, though.
5. Snack**
It helps, but the effects aren't long-lasting. And I find it very disrespectful to eat in class--it's best avoided, I think.
6. Leaving the room for a quick walkabout**
The effects don't last, plus it's disruptive to get up and walk out.
7. Head-on-book nap before class ****
I was complaining to some people about my problem and all the things I had been trying, and a kid told me the only way his brother could stay awake in one of his classes was if he went twenty minutes early and took a nap. This revolutionized how I thought about staying awake--now instead of fighting it, if I'm drowsy I put my head down for five or ten minutes. Lots more effective than a lot of the other stuff I've tried.
8. Flexing muscles****
Flex and hold abs, calves, whatever. It keeps you awake and you burn a few calories, too. It gets old fast, though.
9. Quick mid-class nap****
Sleeping in class is definitely even more disrespectful than eating in class. Not only is it downright insulting to the instructor, but why even bother going if you're just going to sleep
through it? But I've found in my Econ class this term, if I close my eyes for five minutes, I can pay attention to the rest of the lecture after that. I slouch down in my seat so I can lean my head on the back--eliminates nodding. Econ is in a big lecture hall, though. If it's a small class (eg, one where the professor corrects your work/tests him or herself and/or knows your name and/or can ask you questions directly), this is definitely not an option.
10. Talking to your neighbor***
You stay awake and make new friends.
11. Participating in class***
The whole reason I want to stay awake in classes so badly is because I want to learn. That's why I'm doing this whole school thing, after all. I really do enjoy it, and I am trying to squeeze as much learning and good experiences out of my time at college as I can. I prefer being invisible in classes, but I realized yesterday, while sitting in class, that raising my hand will not just help me learn--it will help keep me from missing out because I was tired.
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