While sitting in class during long school hours, students’ brains are often bound to drift off when they’re bored or unfocused. Since every student has different thoughts throughout class, their methods of focusing can change.
As peers settle into class and their lessons begin, their minds often start to drift away from the classroom and into their own thoughts. Teachers’ lessons can fade to background noise as daydreaming takes over their attention. Freshman Mia Iribarren explains that her classes can bring her to zone out, often sending her thoughts beyond the classroom.
“English makes me think a lot because I’m zoned out in that class, and it normally has me thinking a lot,” Iribarren said.
For many students, their drifting thoughts tend to focus on their daily lives and responsibilities outside of school rather than the work in front of them. This can pull attention away from a lesson, making it harder to stay engaged with what a teacher is saying.
“I think about what I did during the weekend and what I have to do after school or later in the week,” Iribarren said. “Being zoned out in class is when I think the most because my mind isn’t really paying attention.”
As a student who attends school daily and keeps her grades high, Iribarren highlights that daydreaming can cause her to be distracted or even lose focus on the teacher. She also shares that different classes change what she thinks about. When she has more independent time, she tends to spend more time thinking.
“You could either be thinking about stuff and not paying attention, or you could be kinda doing both at the same time, so you’re not as distracted,” Iribarren said. “When it’s time to do something or to write something or do an assignment, I stop thinking and focus on what we’re doing.”
Freshman Paula Bahamonde is also a straight-A student with a strong devotion to learning. Like many others, she spends her time in class working while also letting her thoughts wander.
“[During] most classes, I usually spend my time thinking about what I’m gonna wear the next day or the homework I have to do,” Bahamonde said. “Being in a different class definitely changes my thoughts because in some classes I have to lock in and not think, and in other classes I just zone out.”
Different thoughts cause Bahamonde to be more distracted than others, which can make it hard for her to complete work. Whether a student is thinking about their weekend or stressing about a test, their thoughts can affect how they work.
“I’ve messed up assignments and had to rewrite work because I get caught up in my mind for too long,” Bahamonde said.
Depending on the person and the class, thoughts can vary regardless of what the assignment is. There are big differences in how people’s thoughts can affect their attention span and the way they learn in class.
“…zoning out doesn’t have to pull you away from school if you know when to let your mind wander and when to let it lock back in, ” Bahamonde said. “Daydreaming fits into class without taking it over.”
