We’ve all been there. You go to register, and the only option for your required class is to take it once a week, for three hours. You sit there and stew for a bit, only to realize that you have no choice. You have to take this class to graduate. You hit the “register” button, sigh, and proceed to forget about it until the next semester begins.
The first day of class confirms that you have, in fact, made a huge mistake. When you walk in the door, everyone seems awake. This can’t be right. Do they know that there’s still three hours to go? You clutch your coffee tighter and make your way to the back of the room, hoping to hide the look of panic that is plastered on your face.
The professor walks in the door, and you sit back. "It’s going to be a long three hours," you think. During these three hours, your thoughts will be all over the place, but you’re not alone. We’ve had them, too.
1. This won’t be so bad.
This isn’t necessarily true, but you might need to keep telling yourself this to get through it.
2. This chair is uncomfortable.
If there's a three-hour class scheduled in a classroom, I guarantee you that the comfy chairs are nowhere to be found. It’s likely that you will be stuck in the chairs with the desks that attach to them.
3. I should have brought food.
There’s always that one person who has a really loud and crunchy, but delicious-sounding snack. It’s irritating at first, and then you realize that you're jealous. The hunger may begin to overtake you, but stay strong! Worse comes to worst, find a vending machine nearby and casually raid it.
4. Is the professor speaking English anymore?
After about an hour, it’s not clear whether the professor is no longer speaking the same language, or if you're just losing your mind. Outside of the window, everyone is free to go about their days. This just serves as a reminder that you are still in the same chair, which is now as comfortable as sitting on a cement slab.
5. If I chug this whole coffee in less than a minute, will I feel more awake?
The answer is no. You will just need to pee. However, this will give you a five-minute break from the lecture.
6. One hour, 51 minutes and 32 seconds to go.
You've been counting down the seconds since you stepped into the class. This could be a mistake, but there’s not much else to do.
7. If I sneak out, will anyone notice?
The answer is, yes, everyone will notice, because they all want to do the same thing.
8. How is everyone still awake?
You sneak a glance around the room, and everyone seems to be paying attention. And they are awake. It must be a façade, clearly the trauma of the long class is messing with your head. You blink, and notice someone passed out on top of their laptop. Things seem to make sense again.
9. If I bang my head on the desk, will I pass out?
It seems like a good way to get a guaranteed nap and a pass out of class. Granted, there are still more three-hour classes ahead. An entire semester’s worth. So maybe not.
10. What would happen if I were to drop the class?
With online add/drop, it can be done via phone! This can be over in a matter of minutes! Unfortunately, the class is required to graduate, so that won’t be happening.
11. It’s almost over!
Think of all the things you can do when you get out of class! You can go for a run, do some homework, get errands done, and be productive! Let’s be honest, though, you’re going to nap. Or watch Netflix.
Congratulations, you’ve made it! The class is over, and your life isn’t! If you got through one class, then you can get through the rest. And remember, we feel your pain.
