Even though 8 a.m. classes feel like THE WORST—especially at the end of the semester—just remember they really aren’t that bad. There are a lot of benefits that come from early morning classes; there’s also the fact that you’re paying for all these classes so it’d be a waste not to go. The next time you feel like pulling the covers up over your head, remember these 10 reasons to wake up and get to class.
1. It’s proven that waking up early correlates to better grades.
I know what you’re thinking: how could waking up earlier and going to classes possibly improve your grades?
According to research conducted by Texas University, students who consistently woke up early each day actually earned better test scores and had better overall GPAs compared to those who didn’t.
2. You may miss important deadlines, announcements or exams if you skip class.
It’s common for deadlines and assignments to change in classes, especially if your class is starting to fall behind schedule.
Since it’s your responsibility to come to class everyday, professors expect you to be there to gather the new changes to the class and complete the assignments they hand out. Even though it doesn’t seem like getting a zero on a 25-point exercise is a big deal, those zeroes quickly add up and you can find yourself in a lot of trouble at the end of the semester.
3. Increased productivity and additional free time.
It may be hard to get up in the morning, but once you do, you’ll be much more productive than you if you slept in.
In this time, you can get additional homework done for the rest of the day, get ahead in your classes or doing something for yourself. You could even take a nap if you really wanted to, but what’s the point when you’re already up and have all this time that you didn’t have before?
4. You’ll have to play catch up.
Sometimes students skip classes because there’s another class with a deadline coming up, and they feel like they need to find time to make up some work. Sometimes they skip because the class itself stresses them out, and they would rather avoid it.
If you skip class, not only do you need to make up class time, but you also have to remember the additional time you are supposed to spend studying and completing assignments.
If you thought you were stressed before skipping class, just imagine how’ll you feel once you have double the work to do and not as much time to finish them.
5. There are few, if any, distractions in class.
Think about it, who else is up at 8 a.m. besides those going to classes or workouts?
One of the benefits of having early morning classes is the building is normally quiet and virtually empty.
Another nice thing about these classes is they’re typically smaller and full of people who need to take these classes for their majors. Who decides to take a general education or elective class offered at 8 a.m.? No one, that’s who.
Since it’s a class full of people who need to be there, you don’t have to worry as much about disruptive classmates. You know the kind I’m talking about.
6. Waking up early can lead to a healthier life style.
People who sleep in tend to skip breakfast because they feel they’re rushed for time. The thing is, your body needs those nutrients in the morning for energy and focus.
The time you wake up also can affect your mental health. The first hour you are awake sets the mood for the rest of the day. By waking up earlier in the morning, can reduce your stress and improve your mood — as long as you went to bed at a decent hour.
7. You might actually learn something.
Who would’ve thought there would be an opportunity for you to learn something new while going to school?
Your professors are teaching the class for a reason. They know what they’re talking about and they want you to actually learn. Who are they supposed to teach if no one shows up to their morning classes? It’s not like your professors want to get up any more than you do, but they made the commitment to get up and provide you the education that you’re paying for, so you should make the commitment to be respectful and actually show up to their class.
8. Skipping class costs you money.
Is an extra hour of sleep really worth your hard-earned money? You may not think that you’re losing much by skipping class, but do you realize that you pay for every class that you take in advance?
At Bluffton University, each class on average costs you around $49.56. This is what only one class costs you a day, not all of your classes. One single class. So, if you take that number and multiple it by how many classes you’ve skipped, that’s how much money you’ve just wasted by sleeping in rather than actually getting up and going.
9. Your professor notices when you’re gone.
Professors aren’t stupid. They know who does and doesn’t come to class and they make note of it. They may not say anything to you about your increased absences in their class, but they definitely remember whose faces they saw bright and early.
They especially remember who came to class when it comes time in the semester when students are looking for extra credit to boost their grades and get extensions on projects.
Would you want to help someone who couldn’t be bothered to show up?
10. 8 a.m. classes are a nice transition into the “real world.”
Morning classes are a good thing. They prepare you for what an average workday in the real world feels like. When graduation comes around and it’s time for a full-time job, you’ll likely have work first thing in the morning. So if you’ve spent the last four years waking up around noon, it’s going to be a really difficult transition, especially since skipping work is generally frowned upon.
The next time you want to roll over in the morning and turn off your alarm, just remember how much is really at stake when you skip your classes.
