What to Do If You’re Bored in Class: 31 Creative & Productive Ideas

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Make class fly by with these fun activities
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Sometimes in school, class can be so boring and seem to drag on forever. Luckily, even in the most boring classes, you can find something fun and amusing to do with your time! Whether you want to make a game, write a story, decorate your notes, or try to pay attention to the class, you can make your school day a bit more bearable with the ideas below. Read on for the best ways to get through a super dull class (just don’t let your teacher catch you having too much fun!).

Best Things to Do if You’re Bored in Class

  • Read a book, magazine, or work on a brain teaser puzzle behind your textbook.
  • Doodle in your class notes to distract yourself and make studying more interesting.
  • Create your own unique comic strip or write a short story or poem.
  • Play simple games like Snake or 5 Clicks to Jesus on your computer.
  • Make a to-do list or finish other homework to use your time productively.
Section 1 of 5:

Entertaining Yourself in a Boring Class

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  1. Pick a book or magazine that's the same size as or smaller than your textbook and hide it behind the book so you can see it. Remember to look up occasionally to see if your teacher is walking around and to pretend like you're paying attention. [1]

    Tip: It's easiest to disguise small magazines, paperback novels, and comic books.

  2. Use a smooth pen or pencil to start. Hold the pencil between your thumb and pointer finger, and use your middle finger to push the pencil around your thumb. Be sure to catch it as it spins back around into your palm! [2]
    • This skill takes some practice, so it's great for killing time in class.
    • Beware that you'll probably drop your pencil frequently when you're first learning how to spin it. It may be best to only try this if you're sitting near the back of the class!
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  3. Entertain yourself by counting how many students are wearing a school sweatshirt or try to guess which color car will drive by the window next. If you're sitting by a friend, quietly make bets on what you think will happen. [3] You could even keep a tally of how many times your teacher says a certain word and see whose guess was closest.
    • Try to keep your games lighthearted and fun. Remember to be polite and respectful to your classmates, especially if they're paying attention and involved in the lesson.
  4. If your teacher allows food in class, pop a piece of gum or candy in when you start to get bored. This will give you something to do and can help keep you awake (studies show chewing gum can even help you pay attention better to things that require your attention!). [4] You can even make a game by closing your eyes and trying to guess the flavor if you have a few different candy flavors.

    Tip: Eating sweet candy could give you a mini sugar rush, which can help you stay awake through the class.

  5. 5
    Do some breathing exercises, meditate, or daydream. If you’ve got some quiet down time to kill (like when you finish a test earlier than other students), there are plenty of lowkey ways to clear your mind and de-stress without any pencils, papers, or computers. One simple breathing exercise you can try is box breathing—just inhale for 4 counts, hold your breath for 4 counts, exhale for 4 counts, and hold for 4 counts. Then, repeat. [5]
    • To meditate , just get comfortable at your desk, close your eyes, and let your thoughts wander. Just make sure your teacher doesn’t think you’re asleep!
    • Or, try gazing out a window or at a picture in your textbook and let yourself daydream for a moment. You might picture yourself in the scene you’re looking at, or let the images inspire your future plans.
  6. 6
    Work on some puzzles, word searches, or riddles discreetly. Print out a few brain teasers like crosswords or Sudoku puzzles at home or buy a cheap puzzle book you can hide behind a larger textbook. Then, when you get bored, grab a page and start working on a mind game. You might even look like you’re poring over a worksheet or assignment!
    • Just be careful to look up occasionally to seem like you’re engaged in the lesson. Otherwise, your puzzles might get confiscated or you could be moved to the front of the class for closer supervision.
  7. 7
    Try your hand at origami . You don’t need official origami paper to create a stunning work of art in class (and besides, the bright colors and patterns would catch your teacher’s eye anyway!). Instead, just rip or cut a regular sheet of paper into a square and get started on a design of your choice. If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few popular and beginner-friendly origami projects to try:
  8. 8
    Try some subtle stretches or exercises at your desk. If you’ve been sitting all day, a boring class can make you feel jittery and cramped. Here are a few discreet stretches you can do to distract yourself and calm down your body until you leave school for the day: [6]
    • Neck stretch: Gently let your head drop in all directions—to the left, the right, down to your chest, then backward with your chin toward the ceiling.
    • Shoulder roll: Slowly roll your shoulders forward 5 times, using your full range of motion. Repeat 5 times going backward.
    • Finger stretch: Spread your fingers as far apart as you can with your palms facing down. Hold the stretch for about 5 seconds, relax, then repeat several times.
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Section 2 of 5:

Writing or Drawing During Class

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  1. Use colored pencils or pens to doodle and decorate your notes. If you feel like you've taken a million notes and just can't pay attention anymore, go back through and review your notes. Highlight important parts, underline information you need to know for a test, and draw pictures of important figures and ideas. When you look back over your notes to study, your doodles and markings can help you remember the information. [7]
    • This will keep you entertained and engaged with the lesson so you're still doing a bit of studying!
    • You can also draw geometric patterns, circles, or even random shapes in the margins of your notes. Most teachers won't mind a little doodling since it keeps you occupied, and you don't disturb the class.
  2. Do you have a knack for creative writing? Come up with a story about your favorite fictional character, your favorite celebrity, or even yourself! Keep your pen or pencil on the paper and let your thoughts roam free to write a short story. Remember to look up occasionally so that your teacher thinks you're writing notes for class.

    Tip: If you enjoy writing, carry a separate notebook with you that's just for short stories. Then, whenever you're bored in class, you can pull out the notebook and pick up the plot where you left off!

  3. 3
    Play the “draw something and pass it on” game with classmates. If your classmates are also bored, write "Draw something and pass it on" on a sheet of paper or sticky note and pass it around. Everyone can sketch their own small doodle or illustration, or you can add a new feature to a previous drawing (like adding a huge nose to a smiling stick figure). Just remember to be discreet when you’re passing your note!
    • If your teacher is strict about doodling in class or disrupting the lesson by passing things around, this game might not be the greatest idea.
  4. 4
    Write a letter to a friend, family member, or even your future self. Write a letter about anything you like for a friend or family member—you could tell a funny story, reminisce on a fond memory you share with them, or even go the sappy route and let that person know how much they mean to you. Or, if you’re more future-oriented, you could write a letter to your future self detailing what you’re experiencing now and what you hope to do or achieve by the time you open your letter.
    • If you’re writing to yourself, save your letter in a safe place when you get home (or type it up and save it somewhere secure) and set a time to open it in the future. You could choose the end of the school year, a full year from now, or as far into the future as you like!
    • Writing a letter to yourself is a great way to organize your thoughts and relieve some stress and anxiety. [8]
  5. 5
    Journal about your goals. If you’re feeling ambitious, jot down some notes about your ultimate goals and ambitions. You could focus on the current school year (“This year, I want to make it onto the varsity soccer team.”), your plans for after you graduate (“I think I want to take a year off school to save up before applying to nursing programs.”), or even your dream career (“I’ll win an Oscar by 2050!”). Don’t worry about grammar or spelling—there’s no wrong way to write about yourself!
    • If you’re extra bored, try creating a 5-year plan . Where do you want to be in 5 years and why? What do you need to do to get there?
    • Studies show that journaling about your goals can help you identify problems keeping you from success and make it more likely to achieve them! [9]
  6. 6
    Create a gratitude list. Sometimes, you just have to remind yourself what you’re thankful for (even if sitting in a dull class isn’t one of them). Grab a pen and paper and jot down a quick list of things that make you grateful. Nothing is too small or silly to include—your answers could range from friends and family to the nice weather outside or the pen your crush let you borrow.
    • If your list includes special people in your life, consider thanking them in person later for their impact on you.
    • A healthy dose of gratitude can improve your mood and make things like paying attention in a boring class feel less miserable. [10]
  7. 7
    Create your own comic strip. Got an idea for a funny joke or amazing superhero? Try turning it into a comic ! First, jot out a short script and decide how many panels you’ll need to tell your story (Just one? A row of three? Two rows of three?). Then, grab a straightedge to make your boxes and start filling them in to bring your story to life! [11]
    • Consider bringing a sketchbook or printer paper to class with you so you don’t have to draw on lined notebook paper.
  8. 8
    Design a tattoo, a new emoji, or even your dream home. Bring your most creative ideas to life when you just can’t bear to pay attention any longer. Try drawing different tattoo ideas for you or a friend based on an interest you have, like flowers or mythology. Or, make a splash with a new emoji design you think belongs on your phone keyboard. Just grab your pencil and start sketching away!
    • If you need a location to imagine your future self, sketch out a floor plan for your dream house. Think about what rooms you want to have, how big they should be, and how they all flow together (and maybe calculate the square footage of each room to “stay on task” during math class).
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Section 3 of 5:

Things to Do on Your Phone or Computer

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  1. For computer-based lessons or advanced classes, you might have a laptop or tablet to take notes and do exercises. During a boring class, pull up social media or open up a simple game, like Minesweeper or Snake , to keep yourself entertained. Remember that the people sitting around you will be able to see your screen, so avoid browsing on questionable sites. [12]
    • If your school doesn't allow laptops or tablets in class, keep yours out of sight behind a book or under your desk. It's very difficult to hide a tablet or laptop, and if you get caught, your teacher might confiscate it.
    • Remember to turn the sound off on your tablet or laptop so you don't disturb other students. If you're in a computer class, ask your teacher if you're able to wear headphones.
  2. This is a riskier move if your school doesn't allow phones during class. Try to keep your phone concealed by holding it under your desk, in your pocket, or behind a book. Stick to short messages that you can type quickly without looking, like “I’m so bored” or “Is this over yet!?”

    Tip: In case your teacher comes around, make sure you have a place to quickly hide your phone out of sight, like an open backpack next to your desk.

  3. 3
    Play some educational games online. If you're permitted to use laptops but your go-to websites are blocked by your school, some sites like MathPlayground.com or CoolMathGames.com have unblocked games you can play to pass the time and reinforce what you’re learning in class. Games like these are usually better for passing time during study hall than during class, though, as you don't want your teacher to catch you or accuse you of being distracted.
  4. 4
    Take a wikiHow quiz to pass the time. Curious about which anime character you are or which undertones your skin has ? Our site has tons of fun quizzes on just about any topic. Here are some of our most popular quizzes to take when you just can't pay attention any longer:
  5. 5
    Play “5 Clicks to Jesus” (or to any other person or thing). Open up a random Wikipedia article (preferably one that’s super unrelated to Jesus, or whichever person or thing you choose). Then, skim through the page and click on a link to another article that brings you closer to the page for Jesus. You get 5 clicks total to make it to your destination!
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Section 4 of 5:

Productive Things to Do in a Boring Class

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  1. If you got assigned a simple worksheet for French class or a few easy math problems for Geometry, lay that work over your notes. Do your homework inconspicuously and quickly, and remember to look up sometimes to make it look like you're taking notes for class. [13]
    • If you're worried about having your homework confiscated, ask your teacher if it's okay to do the homework in their class. Some teachers might only allow this if you've already finished the lesson or work for their class that day.
  2. If you have a lot going on in your classes, use boring class time to write a list of things you need to do to clear your mind. Try making a timeline of things to do for an upcoming project or a study schedule for your exams. You can make different lists for each of your classes or just make one longer list for all of your classes and activities.
    • Making lists can encourage creativity and help get rid of anxiety about upcoming assignments or tests. [14]
    • Keep in mind that you can make lists about pretty much anything. If you want to make a list about your top 10 favorite movies or books, you can!
  3. 3
    Organize your desk or backpack. Are you constantly digging through piles of crumpled paper and empty snack wrappers to find your pencils and notebooks? Take a few minutes to quietly sort through the items in your backpack or desk to throw away garbage, sort your notes and worksheets into their appropriate folders, put your writing utensils back in your pencil case, or plan which binders and textbooks you need to take home that day.
    • This is a great thing to do when your teacher lets you have some free time, since digging through your bag might be a little noisy or distracting.
  4. 4
    Plan your next social outing or vacation. If you have a busy personal life, use some boring class time to look at your social calendar or decide what you want to do when your family goes on your upcoming spring break trip. Maybe you need to brainstorm a good gift for a holiday party, decide which colors you and your friends will wear to the next dance, or think of ways to convince your parents to take you to Disney World instead of a windmill museum.
    • These things aren’t necessarily productive school-wise, but they can help keep you focused and stress-free after school since your planning is already done!
  5. 5
    Practice your signature. If your autograph is barely legible, try experimenting with different writing styles to find a look you love. Rewrite your signature trying different fonts (like big and loopy letters, or more angular and jagged ones). Once you find one you like, practice the capital letters in your name so they stand out clearly. Then, fill in the other letters and practice the whole thing over and over! [15]
    • While we’re on the topic of handwriting, you might also enjoy learning to write in calligraphy to kill time. With just a few basic strokes , you can write the entire alphabet with beautiful letters! [16]
  6. 6
    Try taking notes in a different language. If you have a good grasp on the class material and are learning another language, try taking your notes in that language. For example, if you don’t need the quadratic formula explained to you for a second time but other students do, you could jot down some notes in Spanish while your teacher goes over the material again. This helps you get more comfortable in another language while also reinforcing the class material! [17]
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Section 5 of 5:

Trying to Pay Attention in a Boring Class

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  1. Try to take detailed notes to focus on the lesson. If you know what the teacher is talking about, the lesson will be much less boring. Print out the syllabus and, if they’re available, any visual aids for the class. Use these and your textbook to help you take notes as your teacher speaks. [18]
    • Remember to write down any questions that you might have about the lesson. You can ask your teacher for clarification at the end of the lesson or after class.
    • Structure your notes in whatever method works best for you. Whether it's using bullet points, writing in shorthand, making headings and subheadings, or all of the above, you can make your notes any way you prefer!
    • For math class, professional academic tutor Daron Cam recommends trying to break your notes into easy, repeatable steps. [19]

    Taking Creative & Exciting Notes

    Use a pen that's your favorite color.

    Add bullet points to make lists of important information.

    Draw pictures and charts of complex topics to make them easier to understand.

    Type up your notes after class to review the information.

  2. Even if it's not the most fascinating lesson, you may save yourself time on homework or grief on tests later. If you're too bored or tired to take notes, simply watch the teacher while they talk or read along in the book. [20]
    • If you have trouble paying attention in general, Cam suggests asking to be seated at the front of the classroom. [21] That way, you'll know the teacher can see you.
  3. The time will pass much faster when you are engaged in the material . Ask about the assigned text and what you don’t understand or offer counterpoints to someone else's opinion. Offer to volunteer in group work or demonstrations to show your teacher that you're engaged in the lesson.
    • When you need to ask a question, make eye contact with your teacher and raise your hand to let them know. Most teachers won't be upset if you ask for clarification during the lesson, since they want their students to understand the material.
  4. In some classes, teachers will allow students to work in pairs or small groups on projects, worksheets, or even homework. Take time to talk to your classmates about the lesson and ask them questions if you're confused or lost. If you finish your work with extra time, you can talk about whatever you want! [22]
    • If you know a lot about the lesson topic, you can also try to help other students who might still be learning the information. This will help keep you engaged and interested in the topic.
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      Tips

      • Some school devices have monitoring software on them. If your teacher is monitoring your screen, do something productive (like writing or checking your grades) instead of playing games.
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      • Avoid passing time with loud or disruptive activities that distract other students or your teacher. This could end up getting you in trouble.
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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 want to listen to music, string your headphone cords through the sleeve of your hoodie or shirt. The headphone will stick out in the palm of your hand. Then, rest your head on your hand so it looks like you're propping your head.
      • Play a drawing game with a friend. You can draw a made-up character on a Post-it note or a piece of a paper. Go back and forth adding speech bubbles or images to the character to create a funny story.
      • If your teacher does occasional binder or notebook checks, it's best to draw on something else, like a looseleaf paper or a notebook or binder section for a different class.
      • Use a kneadable eraser with foam soap from the bathroom. This will make the eraser extra sticky and make it fun to play with. It's a great stress toy, too.
      • Even when you're having fun distracting yourself, still pay attention to the lesson. You never know when your teacher might call on you for an answer.
      • Use Post-it notes to draw clothes on them. You can hold them up at a distance so it looks like your friends or teachers are wearing different outfits.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/ed-magazine/17/01/bored-out-their-minds
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loZgDadZjzA&t=40s
      3. ↑ https://onwardstate.com/2013/09/25/10-ways-to-make-a-boring-class-fun/
      4. ↑ https://www.sleepfoundation.org/school-and-sleep/how-to-not-fall-asleep-in-class
      5. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/box-breathing-benefits
      6. ↑ https://hr.northwestern.edu/documents/benefits/stretch_break_final.pdf
      7. ↑ https://www.seventeen.com/life/school/a30734/best-class-notes-study-inspiration/
      8. ↑ https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2024/03/28/future-self-present-well-being/
      9. ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/gretasolomon/2019/02/05/how-to-use-journaling-to-achieve-your-goals/
      1. ↑ https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/can-expressing-gratitude-improve-health
      2. ↑ https://thetapstories.com/how-to-create-a-comic-strip/
      3. ↑ https://www.thegeekstuff.com/2010/03/30-things-to-do-when-you-are-bored-and-have-a-computer/
      4. ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/homework.html
      5. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-creativity-cure/201403/how-making-lists-can-quell-anxiety-and-breed-creativity
      6. ↑ https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-improve-your-signature-2014-7
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/nj962-cU2PQ?t=238
      8. ↑ https://elliemaysibley.wordpress.com/2022/02/09/an-erasmus-students-guide-to-note-taking-in-a-foreign-language-part-2-making-notes-after-a-lesson/
      9. ↑ https://www.csbsju.edu/academic-advising/study-skills-guide/lecture-note-taking/
      10. ↑ Daron Cam. Math Tutor. Expert Interview. 29 May 2020.
      11. ↑ https://www.opencolleges.edu.au/blogs/articles/the-science-of-attention-how-to-capture-and-hold-the-attention-of-easily-distracted-students
      12. ↑ Daron Cam. Math Tutor. Expert Interview. 29 May 2020.
      13. ↑ https://ctl.wustl.edu/resources/using-roles-in-group-work/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To find things to do in a boring class, draw or doodle things in the margins of your notebook as you take notes. Try drawing things that are related to your notes, or anything comes to your mind, like funny shapes and patterns. If you’re bored in class because you’re not being challenged, try doing homework from another class to lighten your workload after school. Alternatively, write up a schedule or a to-do list for things you want to get done during the week. For more advice, including how to help yourself pay attention in a boring class, keep reading.

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