Get enough sleep. There’s
something about sitting in one place for longer than twenty minutes that causes
the human body to slip into slumber. No matter how much you try to pay
attention, too few hours of sleep the night before will cause you to lose that
battle to stay awake. Even if you do train your eyelids to stay open, your
brain will not function at its best. It can also be embarrassing to snore in
class and cause your teacher to feel you are undervaluing his or her efforts.
No amount of study will surmount the ill will that could generate.
Eat something fishy (or
otherwise high in protein). Don’t eat carbohydrates or dairy as your after
school snack – you’ll fall right to sleep. Yes, that leaves out cookies and
milk. Sugar or caffeine may perk you up at first, but you will crash; a sugar
high will not sustain you through a good study session. A tuna salad or
sardines would be good, or fruit (if you must have sugar).