Take that 8:30

Author: Grace Waldron
Posted on February 15, 2023

The combination of second semester and the vicious Sackville wind in January can sometimes make it hard to find the motivation to get to all of your classes. Second semester also means that soon the timetable will come out and you’ll be able to pick your courses for next year. So let me tell you what has worked for me on improving my academics and making the most of my university experience. 

Before starting University, I remember hearing people say, “don’t take any 8:30s because you won’t go”. So, in my first year I avoided it like the plague. That is until I found out there was a class I needed for my minor that only ran at 8:30. Thus, began my love for 8:30s. 

Something that many people forget in their first year of university is that your main reason for being here is to get an education and prepare you for your future. I’ve learned that a lot of things you learn at university are things you learn outside of the classroom. For me, fixing my sleep schedule and treating University like a job is the number one thing that has helped me succeed academically. 

 In my first year I used to love staying up all hours of the night hanging out with my friends in residence. I was always exhausted waking up for my 8:30s and 9:30s. I convinced myself this was because I wasn’t the type of person who could function early in the morning. In my second semester of my first year, I realized that I am in control of how much I can achieve. So, I decided to set a goal to never miss an early morning class. This may sound like a small goal but it was important to me because I am a firm believer that attendance in university is the foundation for success. No one is forcing you to go to class, many profs won’t take attendance and it’s up to you. But oftentimes profs will mention things in class that you can’t get from the readings, maybe they will remind you of an important deadline that you would’ve missed had you not been in class, or perhaps they will give you extra insight on how to succeed on midterm or exam. In addition, professors love seeing your face. I can almost guarantee you that professors are more likely to be accommodating to you if they have seen you giving your best effort in the course. Not to mention, University is not free. You are paying money for these classes. 

So, here’s a few things that helped me. First, I started treating University like a job, I like the main focus of my day between the hours of 8:30-5 be school. I plan my schedule, so my classes start early and breaks between classes are usually spent studying at the student centre or the library. I like to have as much work done as I can before dinner so my evening can be more relaxed, and I can get to bed at a good time. It’s also a lot easier to make time to socialize when you plan ahead and get your work done during the day. I also make a point not to sleep during the day. This is one that can get tough, especially when you have to stay up late to finish an assignment and then wake up early the next day for classes. However, having the self-discipline to keep yourself from messing up your sleep schedule will help you in the long term. Here are things you can do instead of going to your room after class and taking a nap: study, go to the fitness centre, clean your room, eat at Jennings, go for a walk-through waterfowl. Sometimes even sitting in Gracie’s and drinking a coffee or chatting with friends can help. It’s important to remember that giving into things that will make you feel good in short term like napping, probably won’t make you feel better long term because time is of the essence here, and what you do now and how you spend your days is affecting your future. I like to think that making the changes today, makes tomorrow easier. 

So, all in all, take those early morning classes. Find a good study space. Do your best. Change your habits so that you can succeed during your time at Mount A. You never know how much you can achieve until you try!