How to use the Frederick Douglass Library: Making the best of your college experience

Eat a small, nutritious snack before class, and take a water bottle to sip on during class. Hunger and thirst can be huge distractions, especially in afternoon classes. Some carrot sticks, a small cup of yogurt, or half a granola bar should tide you over until you can eat a real meal. Just be sure not to overindulge in snacks.

Before class, turn off the volume on your cellphone, and disconnect all your devices from the Internet. Unless you need them for classwork, put them in your backpack so they don't tempt you.

During class, take notes on the least distracting device. If your laptop or iPad contains too many distracting apps, then take notes with pen and paper instead. If pen and paper unleashes the doodler in you, type notes on the computer instead.

Sit up front, so you can't get away with sleeping or daydreaming. Sitting in the back of the class creates too much temptation to give in to distractions, such as sending text messages, since the professor can't see you. You'll also be able to hear the professor speak louder and more clearly in the front, helping you to focus on him instead of your classmates.

Avoid relying on stimulants, such as caffeine and nicotine, or other drugs and products that supposedly help concentration. Students who become dependent on stimulants may have sleeping problems, and lack of sleep can affect memory and concentration.

http://classroom.synonym.com/stay-focused-college-classes-4941.html