There are two words that strike utter fear in the hearts of college students: 8 a.m. classes. If you are like most people, these classes are a straight-up drag. They prevent you from going out (even if you have no homework); they produce headaches; and, worst of all, the professors always seem to take attendance. However, I am here to reveal the biggest plot twist of 2017: 8 a.m. classes are a wonderful thing, a gift to college students even.
Here are eight reasons to shift around your schedule to include some early-morning coursework.
1. You will stop procrastinating.
Before I embraced 8 a.m.s, I staved off homeworking-doing until the pleasant, ethereal hour of 3:30 a.m. Though you can get away with this your first year of college, it becomes increasingly hard later on. With essays to write and presentations to practice, you’ll need to schedule your time carefully. A nice 8 a.m. class will make sure you’re doing homework at a decent hour.
2. Your day will be fuller.
Waking up later in the day actually makes the day seem shorter — you’re exposed to less sun!
3. You will set good professional habits.
I hate to say it, but once we graduate, we students are doomed to the “real world.” And that means careers — and early morning shifts. Indeed, businesses enjoy that eight-to-five model. If you take early classes now, being up at five will be a breeze. Do your future self a favor.
4. You will have major bragging rights.
Taking early classes is something to be proud of, like being good at math or having a gym routine. These things are hard to do, and but achieving them grants you major bragging rights. Your friends will praise your dedication to getting an early start.
5. Making a schedule will be easier.
For the first few terms, I vehemently refused to take early classes. I refused to be in class before 10 a.m. — and even that seemed early to me. Of course, this made scheduling a major hassle: popular afternoon classes often overlap. But when you consider some that 8 a.m. timeslot, things actually fall into place pretty well. You’ve got more options!
6. You will have great profs (probably).
7. You will be healthier.
According to Health Ambition, early risers are “more positive” and have better diets. Let’s be honest: being healthy in college is rough. Between midterms and wine nights with the squad, it can be hard to eat right and have a balanced lifestyle. Waking up early is a small step to greater mental and physical health.
8. Campus will be your playground.
If your school is anything like mine, no one is on campus that early. So you’ll have your school mostly to yourself. You can dramatically stroll by fountains like you’re the star of your own indie film.
Early classes tend to get a bad rap, which is unfortunate. I wish someone had convinced me before I slept half of freshman year away!
