At one time or another, students everywhere have fought the urge to fall asleep in class. Although we are often seated at a desk in an either too cold or too hot classroom, the temptation to doze off is never too far away despite the lack of comfort we seek when napping at home. Whether it be the all-nighter we pulled or the mere lack of interest we have for the subject as the origin, our fatigue's temptation to take a snooze sounds fairly convincing even thought we know we shouldn't. So how do we fight off the urge?

While getting a decent amount of sleep the night before is often a goal of ours, it is an option that simply doesn't happen regularly on a college schedule. Even on the rare occasion where we get a good night's rest, we are still likely to be drowsy in that one class that can't grasp our interest. This leaves us to question how on earth we'll get through a whole semester without the professor thinking we simply don't care about the course and the grade we must earn.

With the option of sufficient sleep off the table, we can keep ourselves alert through means of caffeine. Consider grabbing a quick cup of coffee from home or your favorite coffee shop on campus before class to give you a burst of energy that'll encourage you to pay attention and fight the desire to doze off midway through class. If you're not a coffee drinker, the caffeine in tea, soda, or a supplement shake could serve the same purpose.

Another coping mechanism to avoid sleeping is to not get too comfortable. Try sitting up straight in your seat and avoid resting your head on your hand. Furthermore, if you know the classroom is often cool in temperature, be sure to wear a shirt under your sweatshirt so that you can remove your sweater if you find yourself feeling drowsy. The coolness of the room can keep you from getting cozy and therefore keep you from dozing off.

Lastly, stay alert! Whether the professor is lecturing or there is a video playing, try to take notes to keep yourself active. If there's a class discussion going on, participate when you have an idea to ensure that you're involved. The key is to not let yourself get stagnant, for this is when the urge to sleep can easily overcome you.

Next time you're in class wanting to take a nap, try some of these ideas to see which can help you battle the effects of fatigue. Although leaving excusing yourself and returning to your bed for a much needed nap sounds convincing, you'll find that it will be much more rewarding once you get home knowing you actively participated in class.