How to Survive (and Maybe Even Enjoy) 8AM Class

By Julia Dunn on May 24, 2015

The minute class schedules go up online, every college student registering for next term has 1 thing on their mind: “Please don’t let me need to take an 8AM class!”

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Sometimes 8AMs are unavoidable. Sometimes a class you need for your major just isn’t offered at any other time. If you find yourself in this situation, don’t let it ruin your spirits!

Here’s your 8AM survival guide:

1. Pump up the jams!

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As we all know, music has a profound effect on our moods and attitudes. If you have to wake up at what my friend calls “butts-o’clock” to get to class on time, listen to music right when you get out of bed—preferably something high energy, like Halsey or Beyonce. When you’re walking to your class half-asleep, the music will perk you up and set the tone for the rest of your day.

2. Remember breakfast?

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At UC Santa Cruz, breakfast is usually the best meal the dining halls serve. If you don’t have an 8AM to wake up for, there’s less of a reason to wake up to go to the dining hall in time to grab some doughnuts, muffins, or waffles. I usually eat breakfast at the dining hall closest to my classroom right after class ends. Want breakfast before class? Make a quick bagel to take with you on the walk (or bus ride) to class, or see the special tip below for a “breakfast hack” that cuts down on your time at the dining hall.

**Super yummy trick: If your dining hall has a custom omelet bar or frittata bar, turn your food into a portable sandwich to minimize your time inside the dining hall. Sandwich your omelet or frittata in between some bread, and take your custom food to-go! Frittata or omelet sandwiches with buttered/toasted sourdough are delicious!

3. Your day will seem extra-long

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This point can be seen as either good or bad depending on your outlook—you usually want long days when you have lots of work to do (so you can have enough time to finish), and short days when you have to do something unpleasant. When you wake up for an early class, you have the rest of the day ahead of you to do whatever you need to do and go wherever you need to go. Use the rest of the day productively. You’ll be tired enough to go to sleep at a reasonable hour, which will get you in the habit of waking up earlier, making 8AMs significantly less painful because your eyelids are no longer fighting gravity to stay open and alert during lectures.

4. You’re entitled to a nap

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Once you get your class over with, who says you can’t go back to bed for a little while afterwards?  Research shows that an efficient length of time for a nap is between 15-20 minutes because you aren’t too deep into the REM cycle, but you’re still giving yourself a recharge. However, it really depends what you want to get out of your nap. Jennifer Ackerman, science writer and author of Sex Sleep Eat Drink Dream: A Day in the Life of Your Body, writes the following guidelines for nap lengths and their respective benefits:

  • A 20-minute snooze can enhance alertness

  • Limit the nap to 45 minutes if you need to spring into action on waking

  • A 60-minute nap improves alertness for 10 hours

  • Naps of 90-120 minutes encompass all stages of sleep and help clear the mind

Choose the best length to suit your schedule!

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Maybe you won’t become a morning person for life—but if you can become one temporarily for a quarter/semester, you’ll find it a lot easier to survive your early classes, and you’ll find even more reasons to enjoy 8AMs beyond these four.

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