By Kristen Quon 03.28.2014

Despite being able to only take one morning class this semester, Emily Pierce, a senior nursing major, advocates taking morning classes as a way to make the most out of every school day.

 

“Morning classes are great because I can have my entire afternoon free,” Pierce said. “I’m fresher at 8 a.m. Towards the afternoon, I’m just tired.”

 

A recent study by St. Lawrence University in New York, found taking morning classes could help you get the most out of your college education. Students who take earlier classes tend to get better grades.

 

The study, conducted by psychology professors Pamela Thacher and Serge Onyper, found that students who take later classes sleep more, but also have more time to go out with friends, which may mean late nights.

 

The 253 college students surveyed completed cognitive activities and a one-week sleep diary, as well as questionnaires about sleep, class schedules, substance use and mood.

 

The researchers found that later start times may also be related to age. Upperclassmen tend to take more morning classes and have overall higher GPAs.

 

Dr. John Jackson, a Bible professor at Milligan, teaches a variety of students at different ages, and said he does not see a huge difference in performance between his morning and afternoon classes. Upperclassmen tend to be more prepared for class, however.

 

“You have a large number of freshmen who come to Milligan who are struggling to figure out how to be college students,” Jackson said. “But by the time they reach their senior year, they have been somewhat successful and have learned how to do that.”

 

Most students rationalize that by taking later classes they are able to sleep in and be better rested — but the study found students got a lower quality of sleep.

 

“The effects of later class-start times might include more sleep,” said Thacher in a news release. “But this might be offset by lower quality sleep, which in turn might affect students’ ability to engage, intellectually, with their coursework.”

 

Despite this, later class times predicted only slightly lower GPAs. Later classes were correlated with more drinking, which affects academic performance.

 

“Those who choose later classes also tend to sleep longer and consume more alcohol and other substances, while those who elect earlier classes may be more motivated to find ways to offset the early start time by making healthier choices about their daily living,” said Thacher.

 

With 15 years of teaching under his belt, Dr. John-Paul Abner, professor of psychology at Milligan, argues that students who are willing to take morning classes tend to be harder workers. He also says students who take morning classes have more time in the afternoons to study, which could raise the students’ GPA.

 

“The reality is if you get up in the morning, you finish your classes early and you have more time to study,” said Abner. “If your first class is at 10 a.m. or 11 a.m., that means you are not going to get out of class until two or three in the afternoon and that gives you less time to study.”

 

In spring 2014, Milligan offered roughly the same amount of morning and afternoon classes. Additionally, most graduate classes are evening classes, in which more experienced students are enrolled.

 

Taylor Pendleton, a Milligan occupational therapy graduate student, has a variety of class times, but says she prefers earlier classes.

 

“I prefer morning classes because it allows me more time to meet with my group members,” said Pendleton. “It also gives me more time to do school work the rest of the day.”

 

Odds are that as a student at Milligan you will have to take at least one morning class. Here are a few helpful tips to help you get the most out of your education:

 

1. Find your morning routine:

 

Whether it’s a hot shower, a workout or a good breakfast, every person has his or her own wake-up routine.

 

“I have to listen to pumped-up music,” said senior nursing major Krista Williams. “It helps me to feel energized and gets me moving.”

 

2. Balance, balance, balance: 

 

If you are taking morning classes, don’t exhaust yourself by overbooking your schedule. On days when you have to get up early for class, try to schedule fewer classes and activities so you have time to rest later. Also make sure your schedule allows you to get enough sleep the night before.

 

3. Let there be light:

 

Emily Pierce recommends the best way to wake up for your morning class is to shed a little light into your room.

 

“It’s so hard to get up when it feels like it is still night,” said Pierce. “When you get ready in the morning, turn on your brightest lights, and as the sun rises, open your blinds.”

 

With these tips, waking up early may help you to get the GPA you’ve always wanted.