11 Ways To Pass Time In Class - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Pass Time in Class PDF download Download Article Explore this Article IN THIS ARTICLE 1 Listen actively and take notes. 2 Interact in class and ask questions. 3 Illustrate your notes. 4 Complete your homework for another class. 5 Organize and create a to-do list. 6 Doodle in the margins of your notebook. 7 Read something interesting. 8 Engage in some creative writing. 9 Daydream. 10 Ask for a bathroom break. 11 Avoid staring at the clock. + Show 8 more... - Show less... Other Sections Tips and Warnings Related Articles References Article Summary Co-authored by Ashley Pritchard, MA and Eric McClure

Last Updated: May 21, 2025 References

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This article was co-authored by Ashley Pritchard, MA and by wikiHow staff writer, Eric McClure. Ashley Pritchard is an Academic and School Counselor at Delaware Valley Regional High School in Frenchtown, New Jersey. Ashley has over 3 years of high school, college, and career counseling experience. She has an MA in School Counseling with a specialization in Mental Health from Caldwell University and is certified as an Independent Education Consultant through the University of California, Irvine. There are 29 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 565,046 times.

Time flies when you’re having fun, but it grinds to a halt when you aren’t interested in what’s going on in class. Luckily, if you can find a way to get engaged, that hour-long math lecture will be over before you know it. While it may sound counterintuitive, focusing on what you’re learning is one of the best ways to pass time in class. If you’ve given it your best shot and you just can’t do it, you can try to find a productive way to spend your time. If all else fails, don’t worry about it. Find another way to occupy yourself and just try to snag any notes you missed from a classmate after school gets out.

Here are 11 different ways you can pass time in class the next time when you’re bored.

Steps

1

Listen actively and take notes.[1]

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  1. Class will be over in the blink of an eye if you throw yourself into the material. Class will be over in the blink of an eye if you throw yourself into the material. Take extensive, thorough notes, even if you don’t love what you’re studying.[2] Focus on every word coming out of your teacher’s mouth and really try to comprehend what they’re getting at. If you listen and focus in class, you’ll get caught up in what you’re doing and forget you were ever bored in the first place![3]
    • You are more likely to be bored if you’re just passively waiting for class to be over than if you’re actively doing something.[4] Sitting there and watching the clock is only going to make time move slower, so you might as well do something productive if you’re going to do something to pass the time.
    • While the research is mixed, there’s some evidence that the act of writing can cure boredom—even when you’re just writing random nonsense over and over.[5] If any kind of writing will help you pass time, you might as well spend your time writing notes.
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2

Interact in class and ask questions.[6]

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  1. Raise your hand when you have a question and engage in class discussions. Raise your hand when you have a question and engage in class discussions. Class may feel like it’s taking forever if you just sit there twiddling your thumbs, but it’ll be over before you know it if you find ways to participate. By asking questions or engaging in educational conversations, you’re giving yourself something to actively do which will make time fly.[7]
    • Asking and answering questions will also help you retain the information you’re learning.[8] If your goal is to do well in school, asking questions is a good place to start.
    • Nobody said your questions have to be good. You can always ask, “When was this book written?” or, “How many cells are in the human body?” So long as your questions are related to the materials in class, your teacher won’t have a problem answering them.
3

Illustrate your notes.[9]

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  1. Drawing gives you something to focus on, which will help time pass. Drawing gives you something to focus on, which will help time pass. If class is moving at a snail's pace or you aren’t in the mood to write your notes out, try drawing them. Craft a portrait of the president you’re learning about, or make a diagram of that chemical compound.[10] Drawing your notes out still technically counts as note-taking, so your teacher won’t be too angry about it if they catch you sketching something educational.
    • There’s evidence that drawing will actually help you process what you’re learning about, so this isn’t a particularly bad way to focus in class. Some people have an easier time comprehending information visually, so you may want to continue doing this when you aren’t bored if you find it easier to learn this way.[11]
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4

Complete your homework for another class.[12]

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  1. If there’s no way you can focus in math, at least you can get that English assignment done. If there’s no way you can focus in math, at least you can get that English assignment done. It’s never the best idea to stop paying attention in class, but if you really can’t handle it, maybe you can still do something productive. Your homework will need to get done at some point, so you might as well do it now while you’re waiting for class to end.[13]
    • Keep your notes for the current class out and try to split your time between focusing on what you’re learning in class and what your homework is about.
    • Try to only do this if you have some downtime during a group activity or if you already have a strong understanding of the topic you’re currently covering in class. If you’re really struggling in history, the first lesson on a new unit about World War 1 is not the best time to break out that Spanish homework.
5

Organize and create a to-do list.[14]

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  1. Clean your folders out, update your planner, and make a list of upcoming assignments. Clean your folders out, update your planner, and make a list of upcoming assignments. Toss out any graded assignments that you no longer need and highlight any important dates and assignments in your calendar.[15] Create a new to-do list based on everything you need to accomplish in the next few weeks to keep everything fresh in your mind.
    • There is plenty of evidence that creating a to-do list will help you achieve your goals.[16] It’s not as productive as paying attention in class, but at least you’re doing something worth your time!
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6

Doodle in the margins of your notebook.[17]

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  1. While it isn’t as productive as taking notes, doodling will at least help you pass the time. While it isn’t as productive as taking notes, doodling will at least help you pass the time. There’s also some evidence that doodling will help you retain the information you’re listening to, so it’s not like you’re completely wasting the time.[18] Draw a few abstract shapes, create a cartoon, or sketch out different ways of writing your name.
    • Try to look up and make eye contact with the teacher every minute or so. This way, it’ll just look like you’re taking notes instead of making some art.
7

Read something interesting.[19]

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  1. Flip to an interesting chapter in your textbook or slide a novel out under your desk. Flip to an interesting chapter in your textbook or slide a novel out under your desk. Getting lost in a good book is one of the best ways to productively spend your time if you’ve totally opted out of the lesson. Even if it isn’t related to what you’re learning in class, reading is a great way to learn something new and engage your mind while you’re waiting for class to end.[20]
    • If you can, read something substantial. Opt for a good novel, memoir, or piece of nonfiction instead of reading a beauty magazine or comic book.[21]
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8

Engage in some creative writing.[22]

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  1. Start writing a... Start writing a short story, compose a short screenplay, or get to work on a poem. Writing is a fun way to get caught up in something, which will distract you while you wait for class to end. This isn’t the world’s most productive way to pass your time at school, but at least it involves thinking about something![23] The other upside here is that it will look like you’re just taking notes.
    • You could also make a list of every word you know in a foreign language, every country you can think of on a continent, or good names for a pet dog.[24]
9

Daydream.[25]

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  1. Let your mind wander and come up with a story in your head to pass the time. Let your mind wander and come up with a story in your head to pass the time. You could picture yourself as a superhero with magical powers, or think about where you would move if you could move out of the country. Daydreaming isn’t going to help you do well in school, but at least it will pass the time without getting you in trouble. It’s okay to daydream every now and then, but try to make an effort to tune back in whenever something really important is happening in class.[26]
    • This isn’t a particularly useful way to spend your time, but there’s some evidence that daydreaming can stimulate your creativity, so at least you have that going for you![27]
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10

Ask for a bathroom break.[28]

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  1. Raise your hand and ask for a hall pass if you need a quick break. Raise your hand and ask for a hall pass if you need a quick break. Everyone needs a brain break every once in a while, and a quick walk to the restroom is a great way to take a 5-minute trip outside of the class. Getting up and walking around will also help your brain refocus when you return to class, so this is a great option if you find your mind wandering and you’d like to stay focused on the lesson.[29]
    • Just try to avoid relying on this option too often. Your teacher may get annoyed if you ask to use the bathroom every day in their class, and they may even revoke your hallway privileges if you go overboard.
11

Avoid staring at the clock.[30]

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  1. Ignore that clock on the wall if you want class to end faster. Ignore that clock on the wall if you want class to end faster. When you pay attention to the passage of time, it makes you hyperaware of how slowly time is moving. You’re more likely to feel like things are moving along if you ignore the clock entirely. There’s an old adage that a watched pot never boils, so keep your eyes elsewhere if you want to pass the time.[31]
    • If you get to choose your seat, sit in a part of the room where the clock is behind you. This way you won’t accidentally look at the clock if your eyes start to wander.
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Join the Discussion...

Best things to do when you're bored in class? Eric McClure Eric McClure School is not going to be super stimulating at all times, so it’s best if you deal with your boredom in a productive way. If you simply need a brain break in the middle of a dull lesson, spend a few minutes updating your calendar, crafting your to-do list for later, or powering through a homework question or two for another subject. If you’re just getting fidgety, try doing something with your hands while you listen to the lesson. There’s nothing wrong with folding a paper airplane or messing around with a fidget toy if it keeps your hands occupied while you focus on listening to a lecture or presentation (so long as you don’t bother other people). If you absolutely need to do something unproductive, like drawing or daydreaming, that’s okay. Everyone needs a break now and then. Just try to hold yourself to a time limit of 2-5 minutes. It’s really hard to stop wasting time in class once you get in the habit of doing it for longer periods of time, so holding yourself accountable will help keep this kind of thing to a minimum in the future. Read More LIAMMMM LIAMMMM Lowk I either js throw sum eraser toppers😭, mess w other ppl, go to the restroom and wander the halls for a bit, or if im rlly bored i ragebait the teacher. Read More See all 6 Replies and Read Discussion

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Tips

  • If you're being taught something new or your teacher is actively talking, do your best to stay focused rather than trying to find a distraction. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 11

Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
  • Sit by a window so you can look outside at nature during the lesson. Just make sure you're still listening to your teacher because they might not like you looking away from them.
  • Try to stay under the radar. Don't be the smart kid that the teacher is always asking to present but don't be so bad that the teacher is always watching you like a hawk.
  • If you are feeling tired, it helps to stretch to wake up a little. When you're tired, you are bored, and when you are bored, time seems like it moves slower.
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References

  1. ↑ https://home.snu.edu/~hculbert/listen.htm
  2. ↑ Ashley Pritchard, MA. School Counselor. Expert Interview
  3. ↑ https://sites.austincc.edu/student-skills-workshops/taking-effective-notes/benefits-of-notetaking/
  4. ↑ https://www.edutopia.org/article/neuroscience-behind-productive-struggle/
  5. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4217586/
  6. ↑ https://www.edutopia.org/blog/asking-better-questions-deeper-learning-ben-johnson
  7. ↑ https://www.edutopia.org/article/4-ways-encourage-students-ask-questions/
  8. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26045510/
  9. ↑ https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/effective-note-taking-in-class/
More References (22)
  1. ↑ https://www.butte.edu/cas/tipsheets/studystrategies/studybio.html
  2. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-thinking-benefits-of-doodling-2016121510844
  3. ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/homework.html
  4. ↑ Ashley Pritchard, MA. School Counselor. Expert Interview
  5. ↑ https://hbr.org/2021/01/i-tried-4-to-do-list-methods-heres-what-worked
  6. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/living-the-questions/201808/6-reasons-why-you-should-use-a-daily-planner
  7. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4763375/
  8. ↑ https://raisingchildren.net.au/school-age/connecting-communicating/connecting/enjoying-time
  9. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-thinking-benefits-of-doodling-2016121510844
  10. ↑ https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1232893.pdf
  11. ↑ https://www.edutopia.org/blog/training-the-brain-to-listen-donna-wilson
  12. ↑ https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/reading-textbooks-effectively/
  13. ↑ https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1074055
  14. ↑ https://www.sjsu.edu/writingcenter/docs/handouts/Short%20Stories.pdf
  15. ↑ https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/learning-a-second-language/
  16. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/the-athletes-way/201312/how-does-daydreaming-help-form-long-lasting-memories
  17. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/supersurvivors/201712/why-daydreaming-is-good-for-us
  18. ↑ https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/04/cover-science-creativity
  19. ↑ https://www.uopeople.edu/blog/how-to-survive-a-boring-class/
  20. ↑ https://www.edutopia.org/blog/brain-breaks-focused-attention-practices-lori-desautels
  21. ↑ https://www.edutopia.org/article/5-strategies-improve-students-listening-skills/
  22. ↑ https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_to_listen_with_compassion_in_the_classroom

About This Article

Ashley Pritchard, MA Co-authored by: Ashley Pritchard, MA School Counselor This article was co-authored by Ashley Pritchard, MA and by wikiHow staff writer, Eric McClure. Ashley Pritchard is an Academic and School Counselor at Delaware Valley Regional High School in Frenchtown, New Jersey. Ashley has over 3 years of high school, college, and career counseling experience. She has an MA in School Counseling with a specialization in Mental Health from Caldwell University and is certified as an Independent Education Consultant through the University of California, Irvine. This article has been viewed 565,046 times. 587 votes - 55% Co-authors: 107 Updated: May 21, 2025 Views: 565,046 Categories: Class Distractions | Managing Time During School Years Article SummaryX

To pass time in class, look out of the window to see what's going on outside when your teacher's back is turned. You can also pass funny notes with a friend sitting nearby. For example, send them a "Would you rather" between 2 silly situations. Or, play a game of hangman or tic tac toe with them. When you’re bored in class, it can be tempting to calculate how long you have left, but try not to look at the clock, since this will actually make time feel slower. If your class is still dragging by, listen for words that your teacher says a lot and tally every time they say them. You never know what funny words will keep coming up! For more tips, including how to secretly read in class, read on! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Ashley Pritchard, MA Co-authored by: Ashley Pritchard, MA School Counselor 587 votes - 55% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 107 Updated: May 21, 2025 Views: 565,046 Luna DeMarco

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