Are 8 a.m. Classes the Key to Productivity?

By: Simone DiNota 

Photo by Diya Kapoor

I voluntarily took an 8 a.m. this semester. Yes, there were other class times available, and no, I’m not joking. Because of my 8 a.m., I’ve lost more sleep, and I’ve spent more money on caffeine. I’ve walked to East Campus from West on teeth-chatteringly cold mornings, and I’ve experienced winds that make my eyes water. But what I’ve gained still seems to outweigh the piercing sound of my alarm clock every Tuesday and Thursday morning. 

I’ve experienced a wide range of schedules during my time at BU. When my first class was at 2 p.m., I struggled to start my day in a timely manner. With my 11 a.m. classes, I always felt like I was rushing. Now, I get more done in the mornings, and oddly, I never rush to my 8 a.m. In fact, I usually tend to be early. I simply wake up, get ready, and head out the door. 

The phenomenon I’m describing sounds like a miraculous cure for being unproductive, but it’s started to make sense to me. When your classes don’t start until the late afternoon, you’re inclined to sleep in. With midday classes, it’s easy to overestimate how much time you have in the mornings and run late. At 8 a.m., there’s no time to overprepare or underprepare. Your morning routine becomes mechanical, and rising with the sun becomes robotic. 

Despite the many irritations of such an early morning, especially when factoring in Boston weather, there is something undeniably grounding about it. On my walk to class, I watch the sun begin to poke out from behind the Prudential Center, and it makes the CDS building incredibly photogenic. Warren Dining Hall is blissfully empty, and I can check my inbox over breakfast. Most importantly, my 8 a.m. gives me the structure I had been missing in college. 

I had previously struggled to find my groove with afternoon classes. Every morning looked different, and a lack of consistency made it hard to allot time for work. My early start keeps me on track. I’m still not a morning person, but now I truly understand how a productive morning can set the tone for a productive day. I may not opt for an 8 a.m. class again, but I’ll definitely

aim for 9 a.m. classes.