Being in college makes me wonder how I managed to survive high school. In high school, I had to be in the building by 8 a.m, had eight classes a day, went to clubs and activities after school, went home, did homework, ate, watched TV, and slept. Now in college, I have all afternoon classes this semester, so I do not have to be up until 1 p.m. to go to my 2 p.m. class, which is as early as it is going to get most days. This not only leads to a lot of sleep, but also a lot of free time for other things. Such things include: studying, going to work, hanging out with friends, and leaving campus. Because of this free time, it is difficult to go back to the high school mentality of having to be in class by 8 a.m. Below, are reasons why it is my ultimate goal to try to get through college without having to take an 8 a.m. class .
It is too early
Let’s face it, some people are night owls. Having to be up that early in the morning for class is a nightmare for anyone who is a night owl. 8 a.m. classes are also a reminder of high school, especially because people can make their own schedule in college. If you happen to have an 8 a.m. class, you were either stuck with it because it was the only class left to register for, or you actually like being up that early. My advice- make sure you order a large coffee to help you survive being up that early.
These classes are the easiest to miss
Whether it is sleeping in for five more minutes, forgetting to set an alarm, or just not feeling like getting up, 8 a.m. classes are the easiest to miss. To some people, getting up for an 8 a.m. class might not be worth it, which automatically makes sleep a top priority. Another reason these classes are the easiest to miss is if you went out the night before and don’t feel well enough the next morning to go to class. With 8 a.m. classes being the easiest to miss, they are also the easiest to fail. Not only do some professors count attendance, but missing classes leads to missing assignments as well.
It is hard to focus
The only motivation you might have had to go to your 8 a.m. is to get the attendance credit. As a result, you might be physically present, but not mentally present. If you are one of those students who managed to make it to class, despite a night of partying, you know you are not going to be paying attention. Some of the thoughts going through your head in class could be sleep, the cute boy in front of you, or how any of the stuff your professor is talking about will ever be useful to you in real life. With all these distractions around you and the mentality of not wanting to be there, it could be hard to focus in an 8 a.m. class.
There are other alternatives
College is one of the most flexible environments in terms of time. If you are not a morning person and struggle to get up early, then an afternoon or night class might be the best option for you. The good thing about afternoon classes is that they are not as easy to miss because they give students the opportunity to sleep in more. By having more sleep, students will be more likely to actually get up to go to class and wake up in a better mood. Classes at a later time also allow students to stay more focused because it is as if there is no excuse to miss the class in the first place. In addition, students who choose to take a later class can use that time to work some shifts at their job, or to prepare for class, such as going over any required reading.
Certain classes should not be taken at 8 a.m.
Imagine having to sit through a lecture in the morning. The chances of properly learning and listening are slim to none, especially if that professor is monotonous, or you are thinking about other things to help you get by. People who do not do well in lectures, especially, should not take an 8 a.m. class because they will either sleep through it and not learn anything, or will never show up. Subjects that you do not excel in should also never be taken in the morning. Math classes, for example, should never be taken early because who wants to do complex math equations early in the morning? If you are not good at math, an 8 a.m. Statistics or Calculus class could be a snooze fest for non-math majors.
Before taking a morning class, always ask yourself “Will I get up for this class?” Will I stay awake? Are there other alternatives for me? Regardless of whether or not you decide to take an 8 a.m. class, college is the place where you can make your own schedule according to your needs.