If you are an incoming college freshman, here’s a word of advice- Just because you were at class at 8 every day in high school does NOT mean it will be “no big deal” to have an 8:00 class in college.

Being at high school at 8:00 is not the same as getting up for college classes at 8:00.

However, at some point in your college career, you will most likely face the terrible monster of an 8:00 class.

Early morning classes can either be a joy or a pain, and this depends greatly on your perspective.

However, there are a few practical tips to help you make the most of your early classes.

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Before Class

1. Prepare for the 8:00 class the night before

This includes picking out your clothes, checking the weather (especially if you’re in Texas where it’s hot one day and below freezing the next), packing your books in your backpack, deciding if you want to make or buy a coffee before class or skip it altogether, etc.

This helps you scramble less in the morning, and reduces the time it takes you to get ready thus allowing you to have more time to sleep.

2. Set your alarm(s)

When I was in college, I had an irrational fear that I would sleep through all my alarms and miss class. Perhaps you do too.

Nonetheless, make sure you remember to set your alarms the night before.

I like to think back over my morning and figure out the smallest amount of time I need, thus allowing me to sleep as much as possible.

(Example: “I need to leave at 7:40, shoes on and grabbing a granola bar at 7:35, hair/make-up at 7:25, get dressed at 7:22 brush teeth and put in contacts at 7:15, so wake up at 7:14. 7:03 if I want to snooze.”)

I also like to set an alarm for 7:30 (especially if my roommate doesn’t have an 8:00 class) just in case I missed my other alarm(s).

If you don’t share a room with your roommate, I totally recommend investing in a sunrise alarm clock!

I bought one this past winter and I LOVE it. It makes waking up in the early morning so much easier as there is a light that slowly fades on before the alarm sounds. That way, your body naturally wakes up!

This is the one I bought:

3. Get a good night’s sleep

If you sleep enough the night before, you’ll be less tired the next morning (funny how that works). Try to get eight hours of sleep, if possible.

This means going to bed at a decent hour, and making sure you finish all of your homework/studying before the clock strikes **insert time here.**

Do not pull an all-nighter. Especially if you want to be able to focus the next day (and considering you’re reading this post, I’m assuming you do want to pay attention the next day). When you are exhausted, you can’t remember information and you have a harder time learning.

So, in short, lack of sleep=bad.

Do what you need to do to ensure you sleep well. If you need a white noise machine, buy one. earplugs Invest in earplugs if you need absolute silence to sleep. Get a sleep mask if you have a roommate who stays up later than you. (I love 3D sleep masks like these!)

4. Fill up your water bottle, grab breakfast/a snack, and a stick of gum

Drinking water first thing in the morning kick-starts your metabolism and helps you wake up. In my frenzy to get ready for class, I wouldn’t have time to drink a glass of water, so I made sure I filled up my water bottle and stuck it in my backpack to take to class.

Also, make sure you eat something. It doesn’t have to be a huge breakfast, but a granola bar or an apple will only help you focus in class. You can eat it on your way to class if you’re running late, so there’s no excuse.

Chewing gum helps you focus (and not fall asleep), so grab a piece to chew during class.

5. Smile

Okay, so you’re taking this 8:00 class. This could be the worst mistake of your college career, and you could be completely miserable the whole time, or… you can embrace it and make the most of it.

I found that when I was positive about the class, I dreaded it less and I was able to be more alert during class.

So, smile :)

There are worst things you could be doing at 8:00 in the morning. I know it doesn’t seem like it, but it’s true. Things could always be worse.

During Class

1. Arrive early to your 8:00 class

Then you can find a good seat, get out your materials, drink some water, and be less flustered when class starts.

In fact, try to arrive early to all of your classes :)

2. Sit near the front

I found that when I sat near the front I paid more attention to the professor and I also was more motivated to stay awake.

Once again, this is a good rule of thumb for all classes, but especially for your 8:00 class.

3. Take good notes

When you are focused on taking notes and listening to what the professor has to say, you probably won’t fall asleep. And even if you are completely brain dead, still try to take good notes so you can review them later when you are more awake.

Use colorful pens and highlighters to make your notes more fun!

4. Mentally engage

Focus your attention on the class itself and not how tired you are. Give yourself a pep-talk if you find yourself zoning out. Only a few more minutes and you’ll be done!!

5. Talk to people

Talk to your classmates before class. As the professor questions during class. Talking helps you wake up (or, at least it helps me), and it helps you pay attention.

After Class

1. Eat breakfast (if you didn’t already)

Food is important. And since you woke up before eight, you have a long day ahead. Go eat food.

When I was on a meal plan, I often went by the cafeteria to grab breakfast after my 8:00 class. I would pop my headphones in and listen to an audiobook while I ate a waffle or breakfast taco.

(P.S. Audible is the best way to listen to audiobooks and you can get a free 30-day trial and a free audiobook by clicking here!)

2. Get coffee/ take a nap (if needed/possible)

If you didn’t take coffee to class, and you feel absolutely exhausted, and you have a long day ahead, (and caffeine doesn’t have a super powerful effect on you like it does me,) go get coffee!! I recommend not drinking coffee every day, especially not super sugary coffee that is more sugar/chocolate than coffee, as it’s not all that good for you. But every once in a while/ once a week it won’t hurt.

If you are blessed not to have a class immediately following your 8:00, feel free to go back to your room and take a power nap :) Naps are magical.

3. Review your notes when you are more awake

…Especially if you were half asleep when you were writing them. Do this as soon as possible, or else when you are studying for your exams, you will have no idea what your half-asleep-scribbles mean. Reviewing your notes immediately will help you revolutionize your study habits.

Remembering what you learned is a great way to prove to yourself that this 8:00 class thing isn’t a complete waste of time.

4. Tell yourself/friends positive things about your 8:00 class

AKA- don’t complain about the class.

When you run into your friends and they ask you how your day is going, say “Great, I learned XYZ in my class this morning!!”

Tell yourself positive things about the class too. Counteract negative thoughts with positive ones. “I hate having to wake up early, but at least now I’m up and can be productive after class!” “I really don’t like this class; it’s really boring. At least *insert person’s name here* is taking it too.” etc.

5. Utilize your morning!

Since you’re awake, do something useful with your day when you get out of your 8:00 class!

Get a head-start on your studies, read your Bible, go for a walk, read a book, listen to music, doodle, do something that you like. Fight procrastination!!

So those are all of my tips for surviving your 8:00 class!

I hope they were beneficial to you! Having an 8:00 class can be daunting, but I know you can do it! :)

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Posted by Kara Beth & filed under College. This post has 2 comments.