Wake up to varying class times at UA
The Traveler Editorial Board
Issue date: 11/5/08 Section: Opinion
Early morning classes: it's a student's worst nightmare.
Whether it's the dreaded freshmen chemistry class only offered at 7:30 a.m. or the slightly more reasonable 9:30 a.m. journalism courses offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays, some classes just seem impossible to take for a select number of UA students.
One out of four students fall asleep in class at least once a week, according to a 2006 study of more than 1,600 adolescents by the National Sleep Foundation, and we have to think that UA students are no different.
The NSF also reports that only one in five students get the optimal amount of sleep - nine hours - each night.
Some colleges and universities avoid cranky, sleepy students by simply not offering such early-morning classes.
And a way the UA can help students who suffer from too much melatonin is to offer the classes currently only available early in the morning at other times of the day, as well.
It's unreasonable to only offer, say, a large chemistry class at 7:30 a.m., when plenty of students just can't function well during that time.
In fact, the body doesn't fully awaken until after 8 a.m., said Kyla Wahistrom, director of the Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement at the University of Minnesota, according to the NSF.
All early classes shouldn't be abolished, however. Students have varying schedules, and those with families, full-time jobs and other commitments surely would benefit from a wide range of options.
But a course should never only be offered so early in the morning - 7:30 a.m. classes aren't ideal for the well-being of most students.
Sleep is a necessity. If students do have to endure a 7:30 a.m. class, they should plan accordingly with their natural sleep cycle.
In general, however, UA officials should ensure that more class times are available, especially for the many who can barely function so early in the morning.
Whether it's the dreaded freshmen chemistry class only offered at 7:30 a.m. or the slightly more reasonable 9:30 a.m. journalism courses offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays, some classes just seem impossible to take for a select number of UA students.
One out of four students fall asleep in class at least once a week, according to a 2006 study of more than 1,600 adolescents by the National Sleep Foundation, and we have to think that UA students are no different.
The NSF also reports that only one in five students get the optimal amount of sleep - nine hours - each night.
Some colleges and universities avoid cranky, sleepy students by simply not offering such early-morning classes.
And a way the UA can help students who suffer from too much melatonin is to offer the classes currently only available early in the morning at other times of the day, as well.
It's unreasonable to only offer, say, a large chemistry class at 7:30 a.m., when plenty of students just can't function well during that time.
In fact, the body doesn't fully awaken until after 8 a.m., said Kyla Wahistrom, director of the Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement at the University of Minnesota, according to the NSF.
All early classes shouldn't be abolished, however. Students have varying schedules, and those with families, full-time jobs and other commitments surely would benefit from a wide range of options.
But a course should never only be offered so early in the morning - 7:30 a.m. classes aren't ideal for the well-being of most students.
Sleep is a necessity. If students do have to endure a 7:30 a.m. class, they should plan accordingly with their natural sleep cycle.
In general, however, UA officials should ensure that more class times are available, especially for the many who can barely function so early in the morning.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 2
Jeff
posted 11/05/08 @ 7:31 AM CST
I've been at work since 6 this morning. Maybe I should tell my employer that this is unreasonable and that my body doesn't fully awaken until after 8 and see what the response is. (Continued…)
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