There is a stigma against 8 AM classes as being horrific, dreadful, and completely undesirable. This mindset comes with somewhat good reason—who really wants to wake up at 7-something in the morning?
Of course, we'd rather sleep in.
However, there are definite benefits to signing up for the first timeslot classes are offered in—here are 9 of them:
1. You get your day started earlier
With more time in the day, you have more time to get your responsibilities done! If your 8 AM ends at around 9:30, you can head to the library right after and get started on your other schoolwork. However, if you sleep in until 11:00, you’re probably not going to get anything done until around 12:00, which means you’ve already lost most of the day and will end up having to make up for it in the later hours.
2. You have more time to get more done
Ending class at around 9:30 gives you significantly more time to be more productive than you would have if you woke up at around 11:00. There is a lot more time you’re awake for and can take advantage of to fulfill your responsibilities.
3. You'll probably end classes earlier
Start early, end early. Perhaps that 8 AM will end up being your only class of the day, and you have no more obligations after it's over. If not, you'll likely be more inclined to sign up for other earlier classes, figuring that you’ll be on campus and in school-mode already, so there's not much of a reason not to. There's a greater chance that you'll be done with classes earlier than you would if you signed up for the later timeslots first!
4. You're more productive in the mornings
Studies have shown that students are more efficient and productive earlier in the day. Thus, that 8 AM that you’re dreading might actually end up being the class you’re best able to focus and perform in. Hey, maybe you’ll actually learn something in this one!
5. You'll get a better parking spot
The anti-8 AM mentality of college students is the reason many of them try to avoid signing up for these classes in the first place. For this reason, campus parking lots are drastically emptier at this time. You’re definitely going to get a better parking spot at 7:50 AM than you would at 12:00 PM.
6. You start your day efficiently
During the hours that most of your peers have barely fulfilled three adequate sleep cycles, you will have already accomplished a great deal. This will likely motivate you to keep going with your day. You'll be more ambitious and induced to hit the gym, meet with professors, or go to the library afterward. You're going to find yourself making more out of your day than you would have otherwise.
7. You can get more done in the day
Waking up earlier means more hours in the day, which means you'll have more hours to do more. If you don't waste time, having extra hours in the day can benefit you in helping you get more done than you would with later classes and waking up later in the day.
8. You won't have as many distractions from the outside world during class
Most people you know will be sleeping during your class time. This means that the group chat, social media, and your incoming text messages won’t be popping off nearly as much as they do during your later classes, meaning you will be less distracted and better able to stay focused and present in class.
9. You'll be more prepared for the future
College is probably going to be the last time it’s going to be socially acceptable for you to sleep in 7 days a week. Most careers will require you to be awake and industrious early in the day, perhaps even earlier than 8 AM. Practicing this in college, even if it’s only two days a week, will make it easier for you to do so once it’s over and you embark on your career path.
I told you, they’re not that bad! There are a lot of benefits to signing up for 8 AM classes. These are definitely points to consider when making your class schedule for next semester.
