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When are the best times to schedule college classes?
I'm a senior in high school and I've heard that it's not a good idea to take 8:00 A.M. classes in college. Is this true? If so, why and what are the best times to schedule classes to help me stay focused. I would really appreciate personal experiences and the guidance!
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7 answers
Updated
Octavia’s Answer
Dear Mireia,
You have to assess your own situation as every person is different. Answer yourself few questions before making a decision:
- Where are you going to college? What city?
- How will you get there?
- Are you an early riser?
- Do you work during college?
I went to school in NYC at Hunter College. I was using the public transportation (subway) and got everywhere in the city in a reasonable amount of time. I am a morning person and most productive in the morning and I was working PM shift while in college. Therefore, I was going full time to school and full time to work. In order to maximize my results and efficiency I took only morning classes (8am - 1 pm), week-end classes, summer school and winter intersession. This way I could manage my particular situation better, I managed to pay for tuition without any loans, and study in my days off in the library and graduate with a 3.7 GPA.
It is all in your power to make your decision the best decision for yourself.
You have to assess your own situation as every person is different. Answer yourself few questions before making a decision:
- Where are you going to college? What city?
- How will you get there?
- Are you an early riser?
- Do you work during college?
I went to school in NYC at Hunter College. I was using the public transportation (subway) and got everywhere in the city in a reasonable amount of time. I am a morning person and most productive in the morning and I was working PM shift while in college. Therefore, I was going full time to school and full time to work. In order to maximize my results and efficiency I took only morning classes (8am - 1 pm), week-end classes, summer school and winter intersession. This way I could manage my particular situation better, I managed to pay for tuition without any loans, and study in my days off in the library and graduate with a 3.7 GPA.
It is all in your power to make your decision the best decision for yourself.
Thank you so much for your advice!
Mireia
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Mireia,
You asked what is the best time for classes to help you stay focused. Given some of your other questions, I believe you have maturity, and self-discipline, beyond that of many people (teens and adults!) So, I anticipate you will not be one of those people who hits the parking lot at the last minute, and, that you will do most of your test prep before the day of the exam, so it will only take a few minutes of brushing up before you walk in the door. Right?
If all that is correct, then the question is, as you asked, to "stay focused." And that will vary person to person. If you have an interesting class, it will be easier to focus, and you can take those during times that you might not otherwise want to take a class. However, be forewarned. There are professors out there who can totally kill your favorite subjects and make you re-think why you ever liked them to start with! They will speak in monotoned voices, read to you from powerpoint slides, etc. I took Colonial American History as an elective, and lived to regret it! So, if you are an early-riser, and hit the ground running, there's nothing wrong with 8 am classes. I rather enjoyed getting my tough classes knocked out first, while I was still alert! But, if you currently find it difficult to draaagggg yourself out of bed, don't do it!
Also, if you get off of work at 6 a.m., you definitely don't want an 8 a.m. class! I did that my final semester. I got to school early, found a place to nap, and woke up at 9:30. Totally missed the 8 and 9 o'clock classes! (before cell phones - no alarm clock. . . )
Now, beyond that, you need to think about staying alert throughout the day. I'm no dietician, but carbs and proteins have different effects. I tend to be a "grazer," and it works well for me. Don't eat a big lunch and then take a class! And don't fall for the soda/candy/or energy drink approach. It's important to fuel your brain properly!
Remember to budget time for studying! I found that if I took 2 classes back to back, then took a 2 class break, it worked pretty well. (eat plus study). But you will find your own rhythm!
Kim
You asked what is the best time for classes to help you stay focused. Given some of your other questions, I believe you have maturity, and self-discipline, beyond that of many people (teens and adults!) So, I anticipate you will not be one of those people who hits the parking lot at the last minute, and, that you will do most of your test prep before the day of the exam, so it will only take a few minutes of brushing up before you walk in the door. Right?
If all that is correct, then the question is, as you asked, to "stay focused." And that will vary person to person. If you have an interesting class, it will be easier to focus, and you can take those during times that you might not otherwise want to take a class. However, be forewarned. There are professors out there who can totally kill your favorite subjects and make you re-think why you ever liked them to start with! They will speak in monotoned voices, read to you from powerpoint slides, etc. I took Colonial American History as an elective, and lived to regret it! So, if you are an early-riser, and hit the ground running, there's nothing wrong with 8 am classes. I rather enjoyed getting my tough classes knocked out first, while I was still alert! But, if you currently find it difficult to draaagggg yourself out of bed, don't do it!
Also, if you get off of work at 6 a.m., you definitely don't want an 8 a.m. class! I did that my final semester. I got to school early, found a place to nap, and woke up at 9:30. Totally missed the 8 and 9 o'clock classes! (before cell phones - no alarm clock. . . )
Now, beyond that, you need to think about staying alert throughout the day. I'm no dietician, but carbs and proteins have different effects. I tend to be a "grazer," and it works well for me. Don't eat a big lunch and then take a class! And don't fall for the soda/candy/or energy drink approach. It's important to fuel your brain properly!
Remember to budget time for studying! I found that if I took 2 classes back to back, then took a 2 class break, it worked pretty well. (eat plus study). But you will find your own rhythm!
Kim
Thank you, this was super helpful advice!
Mireia
Updated
Dr. Ray’s Answer
Dear Meria,
Hi! It's me again! The previous answers seem pretty comprehensive to me, so I will just add a few comments. People go through cycles of higher and lower mental energy during the day. Some are "larks" who are at their most alert and energetic in the morning, while others are "owls" who are most alert in the afternoon and evening. Knowing which one you are can be very helpful. I am very much an owl and avoided early morning classes whenever I could. My wife, on the other hand, is a lark who wakes up early and loved 8:00 a.m. classes.
I also know people who take classes in the morning and work evenings or vice versa, so your work/other activity schedule may require some juggling on your part.
If you plan to attend college in Houston I would advise you to live very close to campus. I drive in heavy traffic in the DFW area all the time, and Houston traffic scares me to death! I know people who moved around Houston when they changed jobs to avoid long commutes.
It is challenging and fun to answer your questions. If you read all the responses you received you may be the best prepared entering freshman in history! As always, I wish you the best in pursuing your goals, and see a rosy future for you.
Ray Finn, Ph.D.
Thank you very much for your advice!
Mireia
Updated
Sam’s Answer
Hello Mireia,
This sounds like reasonable advice for two reasons. First, 8am is during rush hour so the roads will be full of cars of people going to work. This traffic could cause you to be late to class or to an exam. Second, having a class first thing in the morning gives you no opportunity to do any last minute studying before an exam. So for these reasons, late morning (like 11am) or afternoon (before 4pm) classes would perhaps be best.
Sam
This sounds like reasonable advice for two reasons. First, 8am is during rush hour so the roads will be full of cars of people going to work. This traffic could cause you to be late to class or to an exam. Second, having a class first thing in the morning gives you no opportunity to do any last minute studying before an exam. So for these reasons, late morning (like 11am) or afternoon (before 4pm) classes would perhaps be best.
Sam
Thank you so much for your advice!
Mireia
Charles M Hurd
Aspiring adviser to STEM teens. Explains clearly, exhorts best practices. Raspberry Pi zealot.
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Updated
Charles M’s Answer
The best time to schedule your college classes is when they are offered. Many times, you do not have a choice because there is only one class offered. But many times, you do have a choice. Here are some considerations for when you have choices.
You want to be at your best alertness level, so consider the things that affect your alertness. My experience is that your body has sleep cycles and that if you wake up when a sleep cycle is complete (during the Rapid Rye Movement (REM) or dreaming stage, you will be more alert. These cycles last around 90- minutes, so you want to go to bed an integer number of sleep cycles before you wake up. (4 or 5 cycles is 6 or 7.5 hours). If you wake up in the middle of a cycle, your body will want to go back to sleep and finish the cycle. That is not a good time to be in class.
Once you are awake, you can stay more alert by striving to keep your blood sugar levels constant. Eat small amounts of foods with a low glycemic index, meaning they release their sugars slowly. Foods like whole grains, pasta, raw vegetables. Eat several small meals, not justone big one.
A really good way to put yourself to sleep in the middle of the day is to wake up in the middle of your 3rd or 4th sleep cycle, eat too much of something with lots of simple carbohydrates and then do some exercise (even just walking for 20 minutes). My experience is after you finish exercise, you will fall asleep within a half an hour of sitting down. So that is not a good time to be in class. I failed my last semester of calculus because I was always falling asleep right after lunch.
Another consideration is the topic being studied. Some classes you need to be prepared and have everything fresh in your mind when you go into class. foreign language, math, etc. In other classes, you need to digest what was learned in class and review it. So you want to schedule a review period before and after each class, so you can prepare for class and review concepts after class. This is not always possible, but strive to refresh your memory at some point before your classes start, and review concepts after classes as soon as you can.
Another consideration is who is teaching and who is in the class. You want to make an effort to get the best instructor for your learning style. If you want fewer people in the class, to give you a better relationship with the instructor, then choose that section. If that means early morning, then do it early in the morning and manage everything else around that. If you have study buddies in the class, that will help also. if you don't have one on the first day, try to make a new friend and get a study buddy quickly.
Another consideration is the type of class it is. Not all classes are the traditional lecture by the instructor in front of the room with homework to be done by the next period. With online learning, there are synchronous classes, where you have to meet at the same time as the class, and asynchronous classes, where you can join the class anytime your schedule permits. You can also have flipped classrooms, where you watch the video of the lecture before class and then go to class to get help from the instructor on doing your homework.
Another consideration is logistics. How do you get to class? What is the risk of being late if your preferred method of transportation is not working as it should. I went to school in a place where there was snow. Snowplows often had not finished plowing early in the morning. Do you reply on public transportation? Can you get there in time to review your subject, reliably, even in bad weather?
I know there are a lot of things to consider. Try one thing, learn from your experience, try something else the next semester. You will have figured it all out by the time you graduate.
You want to be at your best alertness level, so consider the things that affect your alertness. My experience is that your body has sleep cycles and that if you wake up when a sleep cycle is complete (during the Rapid Rye Movement (REM) or dreaming stage, you will be more alert. These cycles last around 90- minutes, so you want to go to bed an integer number of sleep cycles before you wake up. (4 or 5 cycles is 6 or 7.5 hours). If you wake up in the middle of a cycle, your body will want to go back to sleep and finish the cycle. That is not a good time to be in class.
Once you are awake, you can stay more alert by striving to keep your blood sugar levels constant. Eat small amounts of foods with a low glycemic index, meaning they release their sugars slowly. Foods like whole grains, pasta, raw vegetables. Eat several small meals, not justone big one.
A really good way to put yourself to sleep in the middle of the day is to wake up in the middle of your 3rd or 4th sleep cycle, eat too much of something with lots of simple carbohydrates and then do some exercise (even just walking for 20 minutes). My experience is after you finish exercise, you will fall asleep within a half an hour of sitting down. So that is not a good time to be in class. I failed my last semester of calculus because I was always falling asleep right after lunch.
Another consideration is the topic being studied. Some classes you need to be prepared and have everything fresh in your mind when you go into class. foreign language, math, etc. In other classes, you need to digest what was learned in class and review it. So you want to schedule a review period before and after each class, so you can prepare for class and review concepts after class. This is not always possible, but strive to refresh your memory at some point before your classes start, and review concepts after classes as soon as you can.
Another consideration is who is teaching and who is in the class. You want to make an effort to get the best instructor for your learning style. If you want fewer people in the class, to give you a better relationship with the instructor, then choose that section. If that means early morning, then do it early in the morning and manage everything else around that. If you have study buddies in the class, that will help also. if you don't have one on the first day, try to make a new friend and get a study buddy quickly.
Another consideration is the type of class it is. Not all classes are the traditional lecture by the instructor in front of the room with homework to be done by the next period. With online learning, there are synchronous classes, where you have to meet at the same time as the class, and asynchronous classes, where you can join the class anytime your schedule permits. You can also have flipped classrooms, where you watch the video of the lecture before class and then go to class to get help from the instructor on doing your homework.
Another consideration is logistics. How do you get to class? What is the risk of being late if your preferred method of transportation is not working as it should. I went to school in a place where there was snow. Snowplows often had not finished plowing early in the morning. Do you reply on public transportation? Can you get there in time to review your subject, reliably, even in bad weather?
I know there are a lot of things to consider. Try one thing, learn from your experience, try something else the next semester. You will have figured it all out by the time you graduate.
Wow! Thank you for taking the time to write this helpful advice!
Mireia
Updated
Estelle’s Answer
I think it all depends on what time of day you focus best. 8AM classes are usually undesirable for college students, because they tend to stay up late. What time do you like to wake up? Additionally, sometimes you do not have a lot of choice in your schedule due to times classes are offered. Most students prefer to start classes after 10AM and avoid Friday afternoons. However, this is all about what works for you and personal preference.
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Hello Mireia:
As a current college student who commutes (lives off campus), I found taking my classes early in the morning to be very beneficial. I say this because, taking 8, 9, 10, or even 11 a.m. classes allow me to go to class in the morning and then have the rest of the day free to work on school work. Typically, I go to class and then stay in the library at my school to get my work done. On some occasions, I may even go home after class to get my work done.
I think early morning classes work for me because I naturally am a morning person. I enjoy getting up at the crack of dawn and getting a start on my day. It really is a personal preference in my opinion, however I will say that if you aren't naturally a morning person than try to avoid morning classes because you may not function well in them, leading to poor performance. Also, during your first year you may not have much of a choice to the time you want to take your classes, as I know in my college, classes tend to get filled quickly. In order to take the classes at the times I want, I prepare well in advance of registration day and I am sure to log into the registration platform at the designated time to ensure everything goes smoothly.
Hope this helps and best of luck in college.
Michael Wojcikiewicz
As a current college student who commutes (lives off campus), I found taking my classes early in the morning to be very beneficial. I say this because, taking 8, 9, 10, or even 11 a.m. classes allow me to go to class in the morning and then have the rest of the day free to work on school work. Typically, I go to class and then stay in the library at my school to get my work done. On some occasions, I may even go home after class to get my work done.
I think early morning classes work for me because I naturally am a morning person. I enjoy getting up at the crack of dawn and getting a start on my day. It really is a personal preference in my opinion, however I will say that if you aren't naturally a morning person than try to avoid morning classes because you may not function well in them, leading to poor performance. Also, during your first year you may not have much of a choice to the time you want to take your classes, as I know in my college, classes tend to get filled quickly. In order to take the classes at the times I want, I prepare well in advance of registration day and I am sure to log into the registration platform at the designated time to ensure everything goes smoothly.
Hope this helps and best of luck in college.
Michael Wojcikiewicz