People usually advise against having 8 a.m. classes in college. Any class before noon seems impractical to a college student. Prior to starting my college career, I too believed that having an 8 a.m. class would be the end of me. This, however, was not nearly true.
During my first quarter of college, I took an economics class that was only offered at 8 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Taking this class meant I had to be up as early as 7 a.m. three times a week. The first few weeks of school, I dreaded waking up for class, but this got better as the quarter went on.
This quarter I voluntarily signed up to have an 8 a.m. Monday through Friday, and here is why.
1. You will have a more productive day
Waking up earlier in the day means you will get more done throughout the day. Once I leave class, I usually go to the gym and attempt to complete my homework before my next class. If successful, I have the whole afternoon to partake in enjoyable activities or, if necessary, study more.
2. You will get a better breakfast
Since the majority of my hall-mates have 8 a.m. classes as well, we have decided to have breakfast before class every morning. Going to the dining hall as soon as it opens means we get the freshest, and often the best, food we will have all day.
3. It will keep you on track
When you have the obligation of being up early every weekday, you no longer have time to fool around. Weekday parties no longer interest you and watching Netflix till 2 a.m. seems absurd. I have realized that my 8 a.m. classes keep me motivated, and in turn, have caused me to do better in my classes.
4. It is acceptable to look bummy
Going to your early class in pajamas is completely acceptable, and on Mondays it is usually the norm. Nobody expects you to look good that early in the morning, and nobody is awake enough to care that you look like a bum anyway.
5. You will become a morning person
With time you start getting used to being up early, and you eventually start enjoying it. This is a good thing because people pride morning people with being the most accomplished people.
Being completely honest, waking up early sucks but it really does have its benefits. You don't generally become a morning person overnight; it's a process that takes time and patience. I do not regret taking early morning classes due to the positive effect they've had on my life. Every once in a while, attending your 8 a.m. may seem like the worst thing on the planet. Try to remember, however, how much more productive you are due to that terribly early class. To all those with morning classes, sports practices, and other obligations, you are true trooper.
