Sleeping in class is a terrible habit that should not be encouraged. But we’ve all had days when concentrating in school becomes too difficult no matter how hard we try. This may be due to spending the previous night turning it up in the bars, binge-watching your favorite TV shows, or studying for a test. 

On a few occasions, you may have one of those nights when hitting the hay seems impossible no matter how hard you try.

Regardless of the underlying reasons, sleep debts must be paid and sometimes class becomes the opportune time to do it. If you must during a lecture or lesson, it is important not to get caught as that can land you in some deep trouble depending on the lecturer or teacher. 

Besides, the embarrassment of being called out while sleeping in front of everyone can be terrible.  You could even get sent to detention or be given a low grade for your troubles.

Fast and sneaky tips on how to fall asleep in class and get away with it

• Sit at the back of the class
• Pay attention at the beginning
• Stay half-focused even as you sleep
• Pretend to be reading while covering your face with a book
• Use a laptop to hide your face
• Sleep in the Computer Lab

How to sleep in class?

Learn how to sleep in class by reading the different headings. There are many factors involved when trying to sleep in class, here are a couple of tips for it.

Your location is probably the most important factor that may determine success in the quest to sleep in class without getting caught. Getting this wrong can get you in trouble from the word go so you have to be extremely careful. Here are the most important location-focused tips to employ:

1. Choose A Blindspot Seat

There’s no point trying to nap when seated at the front of the class because it is only a matter of time before the teacher notices. Instead, always seek a seat located at the blindside of the teacher.

This is preferably at the back end of the class behind a tall student. Sometimes, a seat in the middle of the class can also work well thanks to the army of students in the front, back, and sides.

If you’re not sure where to sit, do a quick stakeout of the classroom immediately on arrival and determine where the teacher will likely spend the majority of his or her time during the class.

This may give you a bird’s eye view of the best seats to target before the lesson begins. The chances of sleeping through the class with minimal attention can be greatly enhanced.

2. Stay Away From the Teacher’s Favorite Students

Sitting close to the teacher’s favorite students can backfire spectacularly if you want to sleep in class without drawing attention. Many teachers start scanning the room with their eyes to find their favorite students immediately they arrive.

They continue this practice throughout the class, gauging the facial expressions of such students, and asking questions whenever an opportunity presents itself.

You can easily get caught napping when you sit close to such students. Even if those favorites are seated at the back, find another spot in the class and thank me later.

The smart play is to choose seats where you’re mostly surrounded by passive students who cannot wait for the class to end. You can be sure of attracting less attention as you try to make a dash to Dreamland unscathed.

3. Nap In The Computer Lab

Do you have a computer laboratory class on the day’s schedule? That can be a great time to catch up on some snooze. With these labs full of big computer monitors, hiding behind one under the guise of working used to be one of my favorite techniques for napping during college.

Just sit on the lab chair, position your head close to the monitor so that the teacher cannot see you from afar, and head off to Slumberland.

Take note that some teachers may get off their seats to walk around the laboratory for monitoring purposes. So staying half-awake can be beneficial in some cases. 

Have you read the article we wrote on Sleeping During Working Hours: 21 Crazy Ways To Stop It? Click the link for some deep insights to avoid sleeping in class in the first place.

Timing can be everything for anyone serious about sleeping in class without getting caught. Here are the best techniques to increase your chances of success.

4. Pay Attention at the Beginning of the Class

Napping right from the first minute of the class can be a big no-no. After all, many teachers have a habit of name-checking students at the onset of each class. This can get you caught out immediately which may not only throw any sleeping plans into disarray but can also get you into trouble.

A better trick is to pay attention at the beginning of the class when the teacher’s energy levels are high. Contribute as much as you can by asking and answering questions as well.

This can get the heat off your back as the class progresses meaning you can have a field day napping later on. 

Many teachers try to make their classes lively and more engaging by seeking out passive students whenever they have questions. Since you contributed aggressively at the beginning of the class, the teacher will likely target other students down the line.

5. Choose A Class With A Lenient and Less Attentive Teacher

Some teachers are notorious for ignoring a lot of stuff that goes on in class. A few may even ignore students caught napping while in the middle of a lesson. Such classes could be the best ones to target to pay your sleep debts after an awful night.

Passive and lenient teachers usually have boring classes where multiple students fall asleep. With several others dozing off just as much as you, the risk of getting into trouble diminishes.

Also, you’re less likely to feel the embarrassment of nodding off when many others are doing the same.

6. Nap Through Documentaries In Class

Some classes feature documentaries regularly and this can make them a good place to nap. While sleeping in class should not be encouraged, it can become inevitable when you’re feeling extremely drowsy.

The good news is that class documentaries can create the perfect ambiance to snooze and get away with it. The playing video may easily draw the teacher’s attention while the dimmed lights can also make it convenient to hide the napping.

The good news is that the majority of educational videos and documentaries are available on Youtube for a catch-up later.

An even better tip is to watch the class documentary on your own ahead of time if possible. This can give you the knowledge to answer questions should the teacher suddenly call you out during the class.

7. Get A Quick One When The Teacher is Busy With Other Students

Some teachers give one-on-one attention to students who may be in need and thus their classes can be easy to sleep through. All you have to do is monitor the teacher’s movements and get a quick one whenever he or she is helping another student and oblivious to your shenanigans.

But, be careful not to get overconfident during such classes as you never know when the teacher may move to help a student seated close to you. Better still, keep an eye open and stay half-awake to get the best results.

Sleeping through a class or lecture successfully requires employing lots of sneaky techniques. One of the best ways to guarantee success is to apply ninja sleeping positions that can keep the teacher’s prying eyes away.

8. Prop Up Your Cheeks With Your Hands

Propping up the head with one hand against the cheeks and drawing support from a desk is probably the best way to sleep in class. Since it involves sitting upright, It can give the false impression of paying attention when you’re halfway through Dreamland.

The trick is to position the head upright throughout the nap because tilting it too much can make you lose control of the elbows especially when you get deeper into the realms of sleep. This can make it easier to get caught out as the loss of balance could make the elbows slip which may inevitably wake you up.

Additionally, make sure the mouth is firmly closed as this position makes you susceptible to drooling which can be embarrassing.

9. Lean Back in Your Chair

Leaning back in your chair may be another smart move when napping in class. It can be a great way to avoid drawing attention to yourself. The good news is that you can lean back as much as possible to conceal yourself even when the person sitting right in front isn’t the tallest in the class.

However, make sure to choose a chair that offers strong back support as.that can be critical to your comfort. This position is popular among back pain sufferers and students with balance issues.

The downside is that you can get so comfortable leaning back on the chair that you’re tempted to go all in and lose track of your surroundings. This may get you exposed when the teacher calls out your name out of nowhere.

10. Prayer Position

This is a popular position among those who’re in deep thought. But it can also be a great way to disguise sleeping in class.

Just join both hands together as if you’re praying and rest the head on it. For often attentive teachers, a sneaky method will be to place a book on the desk and tilt the angle of your head towards it to give the impression that you’re reading.

11. Lean By The Wall Or Window

Have you bagged a window seat at the back of the class? Leaning yourself against the window may be a great way to get some quick shuteye. It can offer the body a lot of support while you pretend to be looking straight up as the class progresses.

Avoid looking in the outside direction while napping as that can be an easy clue that you’re up to something especially when the teacher is not too distracted. This class napping position can also work well even if you’re seated close to a windowless wall.

12. Put Your Head On The Desk

This is probably the most comfortable way to sleep in class for anyone who desires maximum rest. However, I saved it for the last because it is also the riskiest. It can be easy for any teacher to spot a student lying down with his or her neck on the desk.

Even the undue attention from other students may give you away when your teacher hasn’t personally discovered the ungodly sleeping.

To enhance your chances of success, make sure to sit directly behind one of the tallest students in the class. Avoid wearing anything that makes you stand out at the beginning of the lesson such as a hot colored shirt or large jewelry.

Also, avoid doing this in classes where you’re popular because it is only a matter of time before the teacher figures out the unusual quietness and seeks you out. Finally, try to stay half-awake as the comfort of this position can make you waltz into REM sleep which can spell doom.

Sometimes, sleeping in class successfully entails getting the right gear. Here are a few techniques to stay under the radar while snoozing in a lecture hall with one equipment or the other.

13. Prop Up A Book in Your Face and Pretend To Be Reading

A large textbook can be one of the most suitable accomplices for class sleeping adventures. Many teachers refuse to bat an eyelid when students read textbooks during class and that can be exploited to your advantage.

The technique involves propping up your textbook with the hands such that it is positioned in front of the face. Then lean back to an angle where anybody from afar can only see the book and not your face. Now you can nod off without any interruptions.

The key to getting away with this is to read a textbook covering the current class at that point. You wouldn’t want to attract your teacher’s anger for reading a different course’ textbook in his or her class, would you?

14. Hide Behind a Laptop

This is a favorite tactic among college students who have mastered the art of taking low-key naps in class. Since laptops are allowed in every lecture hall, why not hide behind it to get some rest after a long night?

Always angle the laptop’s position such that it covers your face. Then lean back in your chair and go to sleep peacefully.

Be careful while sleeping though as you wouldn’t want to make any reflex movements that can push the laptop on the ground and smash it into pieces. If possible, avoid plugging in the laptop as your feet may easily get tangled with the power cables which could land the gadget on the floor.

15. Pretend To Be Writing On A Notebook With A Pen 

Don’t have a laptop in the class? No problem. A pen and notepad can be just as effective in evading attention when trying to get some sleep in the middle of a lecture. The steps are as follows:

• Grab a pen and a notepad
• Open the notepad, draw out the pen and bow down your head
• Use your non-writing hand to support the head as you sleep
• Pretend to be taking notes with the other hand while the class goes on even while you’re napping
• Try to stay awake after every couple of minutes as getting into deep sleep may result in losing control of the head-supporting hand or the grip on the pen

16. Wear a Nasal Strip

Few things can be worse than trying to sneak in a nap during class and ending up snoring loudly to everyone’s bemusement. Not only could this lead to an easy discovery but it can also be hugely embarrassing.

Wearing a nasal strip may be the safest bet to prevent snoring among those who have been diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Also known as nasal dilators, they come in the form of adhesive bandages that are flexible and spring-like.

Fixed on the bridge of the nose, they make breathing during sleep easier by keeping the airways open. If you have plans of sleeping during the next class, fix a nasal strip before it begins and be ready to explain to your teacher that it is to prevent your allergies.

17. Wear a Hoodie Sweater or Cover The Eyes With Your Long Hair

Hoodies can help anyone nap in class and get away with it especially during winter when lots of other students may be wearing similar clothing.

Pull the hood over your head and lean back in an angle that hides your eyes right from the beginning of the class even when you’re yet to sleep. This can prevent gawking eyes when you do eventually start dozing off.

Avoid wearing sweaters that are too brightly colored or draw unnecessary attention as that could get the teacher’s eyes fixed on you throughout the class. Also, make sure hoodies are not against the school’s dress code as you wouldn’t want to get into deeper trouble.

If you happen to wear long hair, hoodies may not even be necessary because the hair can act as a potent cover while you sleep. The steps are as follows:

• Wear a style that brings the hair to your face before walking into class
• Make sure to draw your teacher’s attention so he or she recognizes your new hair
• Sit on the chair and pull a book in front of you
• Tilt your head to one side and support it with your hands against the cheeks and the elbows on the desk
• Cover the eyes with your hair and sleep quietly

18. Wear Tinted Glasses

Tinted glasses can be another sneaky way to sleep in class without drawing unnecessary attention. These glasses hide the eyes more subtly. They’re available via prescription and over-the-counter so anyone can snap up one of those.

Be prepared to answer questions from your teacher at the start of the class when he or she notices that you’re wearing glasses for the first time. Thus, staying alert at the beginning of the class could be critical. Dozing off afterward can be a lot more clandestine.

Also, avoid wearing sunglasses as it can make it obvious that you have something up your sleeves and most teachers won’t be fooled so easily.

Sometimes, the people you surround yourself with can determine whether you get caught or not. Here are a few tried and tested techniques to get some sleep in an ongoing class with the help of others:

19. Sit Close To Attentive Students 

Sitting close to a bunch of attentive students in a class can help you sleep under the radar. These students are more likely to concentrate on the ongoing lesson which can give you the peace of mind to doze off.

Additionally, they’re more likely to help you out with correct answers should your name be called out when a question is asked while sleeping. Besides, the fact that those students are busy paying attention means they’re less likely to attract unwarranted attention.

This can give you the space to get some much-needed shuteye.

20. Quick Heads Up When there’s Trouble

Is your teacher making a quick dash towards where you’re seated (and napping)? A friend can come to your rescue by giving you the heads up in time.

You can quickly jolt up from the slumber and pretend to be reading or writing before the teacher reaches your seat. This can be lifesaving in many circumstances.

21. Be Upfront With Your Teacher

Sometimes, being upfront with the teacher can be the safest bet to napping through class without problems. If you’re feeling drowsy as a result of taking some prescription medication or simply had a terrible time in bed the night before, the teacher may be more understanding.

Just walk up to him or her and simply explain how you’re feeling and why you may end up dozing off at some point. Unless you’re a habitual sleeper or a troublesome student, the teacher could easily cut you some slack.

Just be careful not to make that a habit.

22. Set A Wake-Up Alarm

The longer the duration of the nap, the higher the chances of falling into a deeper sleep, and the harder waking up can be. Even when you eventually wake up, it might take longer for the effects to wear off.

This is why setting a wake-up alarm on your smartphone when sleeping in class could be so critical. A 30-minute nap should be the longest even if there’s a low risk of being discovered. Remember, 20-30-minute naps can give you a good rush of energy to go through the rest of the day at maximum productivity.

You can also tell another student close by to wake you up at a certain period if you have no alarm on hand.

How to Control Yourself from Sleeping in Class

Sleeping in class can be embarrassing whether you’re in high school or college and could also harm your academic life. If you’ve been doing it regularly in the past, it is time to break the bad habit by following the tips below:

1. Stick To A Sleep Schedule

A good night of sleep can help you stay alert and prevent daytime drowsiness. Creating a consistent schedule where you go to bed and wake up at a specific time each morning allows the body to gain the necessary amount of rest.

A regular sleep schedule also prevents insomnia which can cause sleep debts you may be forced to pay during the daytime. Remember, the average person requires 7-8 hours of nightly sleep so factor that into the calculations when creating a schedule.

Then you can be sure of waking up well-rested with a lower risk of feeling sleepy during classes.

2. Avoid Alcohol the Night Before 

A nightcap can affect the quality of your sleep and increase the chances of requiring a daytime nap on the next day.

Alcohol can cause severe dehydration by increasing the urge to pee several times throughout the night. Just when you’re on the cusp of slipping into a deep sleep, nature calls, and you’re forced to restart the cycle all over again.

This can result in fatigue and sleepiness during class the next day. Thus, ditching alcohol can help you get the best sleep possible and breeze through class the next day without so much as a blink of the eye.

3. Take A Bathroom Break to Wash Your Face

Are you dozing off uncontrollably in class? Why not just request a bathroom break from the teacher and take that opportunity to wash your face?

The feeling of water on the face can jolt the brain back from idleness and stimulate some activity. This may help you stay awake throughout the rest of the class and eliminate the need to sleep.

4. Chew Gum

Have you ever come across anyone dozing off while chewing gum? It hardly happens. Chewing gum keeps the brain awake and active due to the strain of the activity. This helps you stay focused throughout the class.

Caffeine Gums can be a great fit if you frequently doze off in class. These gums may provide a rapid rush of energy to help you stay awake for hours. As long as you do not chew them close to bedtime, it should have no impact on your sleep.

5. Take a Power Nap During Lunch Break

It is no coincidence that power naps have become so popular in the corporate world and beyond because they work.

Taking a power nap during a lunch break can provide a quick energy infusion to carry you through the rest of the day.

These naps which range anywhere from 20-30 minutes typically refreshes the brain without making you feel drowsy. This can ensure that your brains remain sharp during the next class.

6. Be Highly Engaging in the Class

Being highly engaging during classes may not only get you into the good books of the teacher but can also be a smart way to stay awake. Asking questions and contributing answers may keep your brain alert every minute of the class.

Also, helping your colleagues with their problems can be a great way to distract yourself from sleeping.

During a boring class, a low-tone conversation with another student may also prevent sleepiness.

Conclusion

Congratulations on reading everything we’ve shared here. Now, you can sleep through a class without ever getting caught when the need arises.

However, we recommend practicing the measures we’ve shared above to prevent dozing off in class in the first place. They can do your academic and social life in school a ton of good.