This post is a Smart Student Secrets members exclusive.

Breaking bad habits is difficult.

If you have a bad habit like daydreaming while you’re supposed to be paying attention to the teacher, you probably already know the damage that can deal to your grade.

You probably don’t need any convincing of that fact.

Despite you knowing it’s probably not that good for your grade, you still do it.

Maybe you don’t fully appreciate the long term damage it deals.

Every minute you spend zoning out while your teacher is talking is a minute more you’re going to have to study outside of class. (You’re stuck in class anyway, you might as well make the most of it.)

When you’re zoning out the teacher will notice if the class isn’t too big. That leads to you losing even more points because the teacher likes giving points to student that pay attention (particularly to them because they think they’re awesome.)

Even knowing those facts… I’m willing to bet you’d still zone out in class.

It’s a habit. Habits are really hard to break.

There is an alternative to breaking your habits.

You can save yourself from the consequences of bad habits by changing those habits. Instead of trying to stop doing something, try to turn what you do into something that isn’t as bad (or is actually good for you.)

This is a strategy that’s well known by smokers trying to quit who end up getting addicted to gum.

Keep daydreaming in class but try to change what you daydream about.

Instead of thinking about what you’re going to eat when you get home, think about everything mildly interesting that your teacher says. Imagine people your teacher is talking about. Think through concepts your teacher is trying to get through to you.

At times, you will be busy daydreaming as your teacher is talking but since your mind is on related material, you’re still getting something out of being there.

If that’s not working for you, try daydreaming directly around the teacher. Imagine your teacher is a kangaroo giving the lesson. Come on… you’d listen if a kangaroo was talking right?

Breaking habits is hard to do. It’s usually a whole lot easier just to tweak a small factor and keep doing what you’re doing.