Transparency Item: The Perspectives section of the Graphic is comprised of articles based on opinion. This is the opinion and perspective of the writer.
Pepperdine students understand the struggle of picking classes and forming a balanced schedule. I think the ideal schedule would have mostly morning classes and little to no afternoon classes.
Despite the variety of classes, the popular time slots which typically start before 12 p.m., and end before 5 p.m., close quickly. These times fill up in a matter of seconds because they are the most convenient for many students.
Although 8 a.m., classes are dreaded, I think that students who have morning classes get a head start on their day. They usually end at around 9:30 a.m., and give students the opportunity to workout or study before their next class.
I think for most people it is a struggle to wake up before 8 a.m., however, once students are up and ready, it is easier to get classes taken care of in the morning because it frees up time in the afternoon. “Getting up early could give you some much-needed time for yourself,” according to Healthline.
Early morning coffee runs at Starbucks on main campus can help wake students up and get a boost of energy. To me, there is no better feeling than sitting in an early lecture with a fresh cup of hot or iced coffee ready to write away.
Being productive in the morning can also give students a work-life balance. Finishing a day of class at 3 p.m., can leave room for students to work, study or take time for themselves.
On the other hand, I think afternoon classes are more exhausting than 8 a.m., classes. For starters, after a long day of finishing assignments, students are left tired and unmotivated to attend class.
In my opinion, being exhausted often leads to being unfocused and zoning out. It can be difficult to take exams and quizzes in the afternoon as well due to being worn out from the entire day.
Although some students may sleep in, it can be difficult to do so at times because of other roommates waking up for their own early classes. This can create noise and disruptions and can potentially prevent students from sleeping in.
Long classes from 6 p.m., to 9:50 p.m., can also interrupt students’ eating or sleep schedules. Getting out of class at almost 10 p.m., can be a problem for students who live off campus for various reasons.
One reason is these students need to drive home late at night and oftentimes still need to finish assignments or eat dinner.
I think taking afternoon classes is not beneficial because it can be draining and hard to focus at late hours of the day.
Many student tutoring sessions are also scheduled to start at 4 p.m., which is not helpful for students who start classes at that time. Essentially, students who need help on assignments or need support are potentially not able to attend due to class conflicts.
Ultimately, each student is different and functions better at different times throughout the day. To me, this is why it is important to form a schedule that benefits one’s own needs
While morning classes are not the most sought-after, afternoon classes can be the worst and can create an immense feeling of having an unbalanced daily routine.
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Contact Ana Villarreal via email: ana.villarreal@pepperdine.edu
