As college students, we sometimes have to take 8 a.m.s, and they're undoubtedly a loathe-worthy experience. Who enjoys waking up and dragging themselves to listen to a lecture that early in the morning? We're not even awake. We're barely human. But still, we cannot avoid them forever and we, or our grade, may have to suffer for the semester. But on the opposite end of the spectrum, at the end of a long day, there is night class. At first, you think it'll be a breeze because it's only one night a week! How bad can it be? Truthfully, not slam-your-head-into-a-wall bad. But still, pretty rough when you actually slide into your desk you'll sit in for three hours copying notes, listening to your professor lecture about bygones from the dark ages, and hearing students smack and crunch their dinner behind you.
It's 6 p.m. and you're supposed to be outside playing flag football with friends, or you're supposed to be desperately trying to cram for that 8 a.m. test the next morning. But no, you're in night class, watching the sun slip under the horizon along with your dreams. OK, maybe it's not that dramatic, but there are at least eight stages of night class we all go through; alright class, let's begin.
1. Bright Eyed And Bushy Tailed
You've brought snacks and a water bottle. You've said hi to your classmates and your notebook is open -- you're ready. You're thinking, "I can focus and be alert the whole time. This will be a breeze." Bless your heart.2. Time Relativity Hits Hard
You've written three pages of notes, and you're thinking at least 30 minutes have passed. Wrong. Five minutes have ticked by, mocking at your hope.
3. Distraction
You looked away for seven seconds (but oh snap, it's been at least seven minutes) to watch the sky change colors with the setting sun, and now the board is covered in lecture notes that are not in your notebook.
4. The Break
Your professor announces there will be a 15-minute break. FINALLY. You can stretch your legs and confer with one another outside of the classroom about trying to stay awake. Or we can all stare at our phones like the zombies we're slowly becoming.
5. The Return
The 15-minute break seriously felt like two minutes. Get your behind back in class; just one more hour.
6. Convincing Yourself You Will Survive
There are only 20 minutes left. Two 10 minute halves.
7. The Final Drag
Ten minutes left? May as well put your pen up; your ability to focus and likely retain information is no longer functioning.8. Dismissal
You're free. You made it. Class is over. Go get yourself some well deserved Chick-Fil-A. Or go to sleep.
Until we meet again, Satan Night Class.
