How to Pass Time

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Whether you're sitting somewhere you don't wish to be (e.g. class, dental office, court, etc.), or you just can't wait for something, use this guide to pass the time until class ends, your appointment arrives, or you become busy doing something else. Get started with Step 1 below to find loads of ideas on how to pass time in no time!

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Doing Stuff

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  1. Have a dance party just for yourself. If you're in a place where you can't dance, choreograph a dance inside your head to your favorite song.
  2. It may sound pretty boring, but your dreams can be interesting and sleeping makes time pass very quickly. You'll also feel more refreshed and ready to go! [1]
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  3. Reorganize your movies by genre, title, or even spine color. If you don't have your movies nearby, just rank your favorite movies in your head. Or read books.
  4. Write a song about your favorite activity. If you can't come up with a melody, set it to the tune of your favorite song!
  5. Make up and start speaking your own language. Try to convince other people that it's a real language. You might need to write down some of the basic rules of your language in order to remember them. Try to pretend you don't know the language they are speaking.
  6. It may sound boring, but once you're on a roll, it can really pass the time. [2]
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Quiz

wikiHow Quiz: What Should I Do?

Not sure how to cure a case of boredom? Being bored can drain your energy and bring down your mood, which is why we’re here to help you out—and hopefully make your day a little more interesting. We’ve prepared a handy quiz to help you narrow down that list of activities and find a fun pastime that you’ll truly enjoy!
1 of 14

Who do you spend the most time with?

Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Using Your Imagination

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  1. Plug your ears, and make up random things that people are saying around you. You can be silly and random or try to make up a TV-like drama about what's going on in their lives. Use their body language cues and expressions to inspire your story.
  2. Think of the room you are in right now and then pretend that you're a spy that's just been spotted. Hurry! Think of a dozen ways to escape the room and avoid the baddies following you!
  3. Think about what other people in the room are thinking. You can make it random or try to be realistic. If you want, you can even make it a story, like you're a psychic mutant and you have to find an evil spy.
  4. Decide what superpowers everyone in the room would have. Try to be creative but keep the powers useful. Then, decide what their superhero names would be.
  5. Have an imaginary conversation with someone you love that has passed on. What would they say about where you are in life now? What would they say about what the afterlife is like?
  6. Imagine the world as it is now but with some vastly different change. For example, what would your life be like if you lived in a world where vampires ruled the different countries? What about if whales could talk?
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Having Fun

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  1. You can play a game with yourself or with other people. There are lots of games that you can play online for free, or you can use pen and paper to play games too.
    • You can play tic-tac-toe.
    • If you want to kill time and you have a computer, try playing the famous Battle Toads game. [3]
  2. Watch a TV show you've never seen before and never really thought about watching. You can watch lots of TV shows for free using services like Hulu.
  3. Play a prank . Play a prank on someone. It's better to do this to someone you know, since you never know when strangers might be violent. You can: [4]
    • Change the language setting on your friend's cell phone.
    • Spread a layer of cream cheese or melted white chocolate at the top of your roommate's deodorant.
  4. Draw a comic . Draw a comic about your life. You don't need to have skills; one of the more successful comic strips uses only stick figures! [5]
  5. [6] Reading is fun! It's educational and passes time quickly! Start a book that you think you won't like, you could find yourself wanting more! Books can take you on a whole new world. You could also read books that you think are interesting, not a book you don't want to read.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Being Productive

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  1. You can browse wikiHow to find the craziest articles you can or even find a subject you're an expert in and add to the article! There are other great boredom killer sites too, like Wikipedia, Boing Boing, and Reddit.
  2. Exercise . Stretch, do some squats, go for a quick jog, do some jumping jacks....it doesn't have to be intense but just a bit of exercise can make you feel way better and pass the time. [8]
  3. Make a friend . Try to make friends with the person closest to you, even if they seem like the kind of person you'd never normally be friends with. You never know, you two might get along better than you'd think! [9]
  4. Make your top ten list for what you want to do with your life. Try to be creative. Have a few crazy dreams and a few realistic options that would also make you happy.
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      Reader Videos

      Tips

      • When you are trying to pass a lot of time, it is best to not look at your watch or at a clock because time will go by so much slower. [12]
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      • If you're wearing a watch, cover it with masking tape so you won't see the time; the more you look at the time the slower it feels.
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      • If you're doing this in school, make sure your teacher doesn't know you're not paying attention.
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      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.
      • If you enjoy cooking, try making up a recipe! Imagine items that are complete opposites that might taste good together (ex: fries and ice cream) and write them down! Or, try twisting an old recipe to make it taste different.
      • If you can't fall asleep and want to do something active, pretend the floor is lava! Set down items on your floor to jump on and escape the lava. Maybe even pretend you have to save your stuffed animal!
      • Write a story about your favorite book or movie and send them to your friends for pointers. If you have animals, play with them. Or, shop online and add the things you like to a wishlist.
      • Put on your favorite song and start dancing. If you don't have any electronics, either sing a made-up song or think of a song you've heard on the radio.
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      Warnings

      • If you are passing time in court, make sure you are still paying attention to what is going on around you.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.sleepfoundation.org/articles/napping
      2. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/house-cleaning/tips/quick-clean-bedroom/
      3. ↑ https://www.retrogames.cz/play_300-NES.php?language=EN
      4. ↑ https://www.wonderslist.com/top-10-crazy-pranks-pull-brother/
      5. ↑ https://www.clipstudio.net/how-to-draw/archives/160963
      6. ↑ https://markhampubliclibrary.ca/blogs/post/top-10-benefits-of-reading-for-all-ages/
      7. ↑ Lucy Yeh. Career & Life Coach. Expert Interview. 21 November 2019.
      8. ↑ https://www.health.qld.gov.au/news-events/news/30-ways-to-get-active-exercise-fun
      9. ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/relationships-communication/making-good-friends.htm
      1. ↑ Lucy Yeh. Career & Life Coach. Expert Interview. 21 November 2019.
      2. ↑ Lucy Yeh. Career & Life Coach. Expert Interview. 21 November 2019.
      3. ↑ https://lifehacker.com/why-time-seems-to-stop-when-you-look-at-the-clock-1818526994

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To pass time, doodle in your notebook or on a loose sheet of paper. If you don't have anything to draw with, try looking around the room you're in and thinking about all of the different ways you could escape. Or, you can think about what superpowers everyone in the room would have and assign each person a superhero name. If you're still bored, try writing your own song or coming up with one in your head. For more easy ways you can pass time, like reading and playing games, read on!

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      Reader Success Stories

      • Patrick

        Mar 13, 2017

        "I was in my room and couldn't think if something to do. I was downloading a game on Steam, so I couldn't ..." more
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