I’m sure we’ve all had those massive lecture classes, some of which seem to go on forever. This semester, I am taking a class alongside over 680 others in the Tillman Hall (Old Main) auditorium. From thinking about other plans and commitments to plain old people–watching, it can be tempting to focus on just about anything except class. Here are some tips to keep you on the top of your game this semester in all of your larger classes.

1. Come prepared. Stay up-to-date on assignments and reading. It’s hard to pay attention when you have no idea what’s going on.
2. Eat before. This really goes in with coming prepared, but I’m such a foodie I had to make it a separate point. Who can focus hangry? Seriously, I’d love to meet them.
3. Sit (relatively) near the front. This may help some more than others, but sitting near the front of the room can help to hold yourself accountable to paying attention. Being front and center can also minimize your view of distractions happening in other parts of the room.
4. Take notes. If you are taking notes during a lecture, you have at least some idea of what is going on. I recommend writing them out instead of typing. It forces you to write in your own words and eliminates all the tempting distractions that come with computer usage.
5. Put down your phone. Yes, I know many of us sigh when we see “NO CELLPHONES” on the syllabus, but it’s only an hour of your time. Your phone can distract you and others, even if you don’t realize it.
6. Make a friend. This one might come to a surprise, because I’m sure we’ve all heard not to sit near people you will be tempted to talk to during class. While it’s important to not talk through an entire lecture, I think it’s important to meet those around you in order to establish community and accountability. And if you happen to miss class, it helps to have a reliable source to get the missed notes from.
7. Avoid checking the time. Once or twice throughout class is fine, but keep it to that. Nine times out of ten you will be certain it’s been 40 minutes when it’s only been four.
   
8. Participate. It might not always be realistic to raise your hand in a class with hundreds of others, but participation involves more than just answering a question. A simple nod or another gesture to show you are actively listening can make a world of difference.
9. Get to know your professor. We hear this all the time, but actually taking the time to establish relationships with professors makes paying attention come more naturally. Think about your willingness to listen to your friends or someone you think highly of compared to a stranger you haven’t bothered to get to know. There is a difference.
10. Set a goal. If you are truly determined to succeed in a class, you have to pay attention. LL Cool J said it best: “Stay focused, go after your dreams, and keep moving toward your goals.”