Who hasn’t gotten bored at school at least a few times? After all, you spend a long day there, and some of the teachers that you get probably aren’t the best at their job. They might drone on for far too long, or they might make a dull subject even worse.
Some teachers can even make exciting subjects seem dull. And before you know it you’re bored in school and don’t know what to do. You can’t just pull out your phone or a book because then the teacher would know that you’re not paying attention, but you can’t just sit there and listen any longer either.
The good news is, there is something you can do about school boredom. And if you’re taking classes somewhere away from the traditional school environment, then online school boredom can be even easier to cure if you know what to do and how to start.
Why Do Students Get Bored in School?
Why Do Students Get Bored in School?First, why do students get bored? Well, there are plenty of reasons that you might suffer from school work boredom, but some of the most common are:
Boring subject matter. If you’re not interested in the subject that’s being discussed, then how are you going to stay focused and get things done? How are you going to keep on task and listen to a teacher who is droning about a subject you’ve never been interested in?
Boring teachers. Some teachers are just really good at making anything and everything boring. They might have one of those voices that’s hard to listen to, or they might turn everything into a dull lecture. Whatever they do, you find yourself struggling to pay attention and do what you’re supposed to in class.
One of those days. We’ve all had them, right? You start out the day just knowing that it’s going to be ‘one of those days’ where nothing goes right, or you’re out of sorts all day. While it’s not fun, it’s definitely something that happens to a lot of people, and sometimes it means you just can’t focus in class.
You already know the subject matter. If you’re already well versed in the subject matter, you’re likely to get bored as well. That’s because you already know what the teacher is going over, and you feel like you’re getting the repeat version. For some students who are advanced in different areas or those who have already read the content, this can be a problem.
How to Keep Yourself Entertained at School?
So, what do you do about keeping yourself entertained while you’re at school? Well, it’s not always going to be easy, but you can do it if you’re willing to put a little bit of forethought into the process. After all, chances are you’re not going to have a lot of supplies to help you stay engaged if you’re already at school.
Keeping entertained might start with focusing on something other than the lecture that’s happening in front of you. While it’s essential to pay attention well enough that you can tune in as needed (like if the teacher calls on you), this might be a good time to think about your plans for the weekend or for that next vacation.
You could also start actually planning things by pulling out a notebook and making some notes. Your teacher will likely assume that you’re writing notes about the lecture, so they’ll let you be, but you can actually take notes about anything you want so that you’re ready to go when the end of the day comes (or it’s time to actually start that trip).
It’s also easy to use your notebook for writing other things, like notes for another class (which may or may not be actually entertaining) or even writing out stories, music, letters, or just about anything you want. This could help you seem like you’re engaged in class, but really you’re doing something that keeps you from falling asleep.
What Can You Do When You’re Bored at School?
What else is there to do when you’re bored in school? Well, you’re going to have to make a plan. You’ll need to think about things like how often you get bored and what your teacher will actually let you do. After all, some teachers are going to be better about bored students than others.
- Read a book. If your teacher allows it, you could pull out a book to read in class. This should be something that you find enjoyable. Most teachers aren’t going to be happy about you doing another teacher’s homework in their class, even if they would generally allow you to read in class.
- Take a minute. Get the hall pass or get excused for a bathroom break and take a moment for yourself. You don’t get to leave the school or wander around aimlessly, but you can head to the bathroom and just take a few minutes to breathe and relax before you’re ready to head back into the classroom.
- Spend time with friends. If at all possible, try to reach out to a friend for at least a few minutes. If it’s between classes, you could just stop and say hi to someone you know, and that might give you a bit of a boost. Lunch and before and after school are the best times to catch up with friends and try to store up a little of that good feeling until you get to spend time with them again.
7 Fun Things to Do When You’re Bored at School
What if you’re bored at school and you just don’t know what to do? You’re looking for something fun that you can engage in, but you know you need to be quiet and stay off the teacher’s radar. After all, they’re not going to approve of you doing just about anything but paying attention to their class.
Doodle
One of the first things that you can do is take out a piece of paper and doodle. This will give you an opportunity to try out your art skills but more than that; it’s a distraction that you don’t really have to think about (or you could work on something really special if you prefer).
Design your dream home
You probably have an idea of what you would like your dream home to look like, right? Well, take a little time and draw it out. You can actually sketch the house, or you can write about each of the rooms and the design to make it seem real.
Write something
It could be a song, or a poem, or a book. Just start writing and let it all come out. Writing is a great creative outlet, and it’s going to be one way that you can really express yourself. Plus, it will keep your mind off whatever might be going on in class.
Practice origami
This one you might need to be a little more careful about because you don’t want your teacher to notice what you’re doing. But it can be fun, and you can try out different types of origami while you’re at it. You’ll need to either experiment or try out some options while you have a book in front of you to practice before you do these in class.
Practice signing your name
Yes, this can actually be a lot of fun if you want to try out something new. Start by signing your name the way you usually do. Then try it out in entirely different ways. See if you can sign your name the way someone else you know would do it (like maybe your parents?)
Meditate
If you enjoy meditation, then this might be an excellent way to stave off some of the boredom from your class. You’ll be able to focus on yourself and your own personal growth rather than trying to listen to what the teacher is saying. Just make sure you don’t get too caught up in your meditation.
Create something new
Don’t be afraid to create something entirely new. Design a totally new product, service, or other business that answers a need that you have or want. It might be a bounce house that serves ice cream or a pizza shop with a paintball field on the roof. Just have fun with it and try something new.
How to Overcome Boredom in School?
Overcoming boredom in school is not always easy. And the more bored you are, the harder it can be to pull yourself back from it. But you absolutely can get yourself through those dull moments. You just need to take a look at some of the options we’ve already mentioned and then be willing and able to make suggestions.
Some teachers will actually encourage suggestions to make more boring topics seem interesting. If you can come up with project ideas (like ones you can do in your classroom) that are actually interesting and get the rest of the class involved and happy about it, then everyone might be more pleased with you.
Another option is to see if the teacher will let you hold the class outside. While this won’t change the subject matter, it can make the experience a whole lot nicer because at least you’re getting a bit of fresh air. Plus, you’re going to get the opportunity to watch the birds or animals instead of just watching the teacher.
Group projects or being able to work in teams is always going to help you feel less bored though it’s not always something that the rest of your classmates will enjoy. Some classmates might be happy to work with others, while other ones might prefer working on their own on tasks.
How to Enjoy School: 5 Ways
What if your goal is to not become bored in class in the first place? Well then, you’re probably going to need a little more time and effort for this part of the process, but it can be done.
Take classes you enjoy
Once you get into high school, you’re going to have a little more flexibility about the classes that you have to take. Sure, there are some required classes like English that you won’t have much choice on, but you might be able to pick some of your electives or pick the specific English class you take.
Schedule with friends
If you and your friends have similar schedules, then chances are you’ll get at least a couple of classes together. It’s always going to be more fun for you to go to class if you know your best friend is there, even if you’re not allowed to actually talk to them as much as you want.
Request your teachers
Chances are there are a couple of teachers who teach each of the subjects at your school. So, make a request for which teacher you’d like to work with. You might be surprised, and you might actually get the ones that you like best.
Take your time
Don’t rush from one class to the next if you have a little bit of time. Instead, take the long way to class so you can get a few more minutes for yourself. Then wait outside the classroom until it’s just about time for class to start. This lets you focus and reset for yourself.
Make it part of your plan
If you have a plan for what you want in your future, then take the time to focus on how this day in school is setting you up for what you want in your future. The more you can tie your frustration or your struggle now into something positive for later, the easier it’s going to be to stick with it.
Wrapping Things Up: What to Do When You’re Bored at School?
When it comes to getting bored in school, you absolutely have options. You don’t have to just sit back and be bored all the time. Instead, you can find ways that will make you feel more interested and more in tune with what’s happening around you. Not only that, but you can get some other things done during your school day.
Whether you’re engaging in some fun games or creative activities, or you’re preparing for the rest of your future, being bored in school should be a thing of the past for you before long. Keep adding to the lists with other things you’d like to do and start preparing yourself even more for those dull days. After all, you already know that they’re going to come at least once in a while.
If you found this post helpful, you’re definitely going to like our other high school study tips here.
> Why Do Students Hate School?
