<p>I feel so dumb about this, and I have no idea what to do.
So, I'm in my second semester as a freshman, and I'm taking a required course (but I can fulfill the requirement any time in the next 3 years). The only recitation sections it has are at 8am.
Here's the weird part. Over the last 9 months or so, I've developed some health issues and basically have to take a medication in order to sleep. It obviously makes me sleep a bit harder than I usually would. I set multiple alarms and turn them off in my sleep. Today, for example, I didn't become even the littlest bit conscious until 8:30, even though my first alarm goes off at 6:30 (my roommate loves it, I'm sure).
So at this point, I'm considering dropping the class and enrolling in another (the deadline to do this is Monday). It just feels so stupid to drop a class because it's too early. I can't even imagine telling this to my adviser.
So, CC, tell me the truth: am I being totally lame and just need to toughen up, or would switching classes be a good idea?
Just be totally honest, I'm so torn about this.</p>
<p>Will the class be offered at a later time in the future? Do you think your sleeping habits will change over time? If not, then might as well get it over with now. However, if the above options are true for you then I wouldn’t be in such a hurry to fulfill the requirement so soon.</p>
<p>Will it put you behind in coursework? If it’s a pre-req for another course or some other time sensitive requirement, you might not want to drop it. Same goes for if it’ll put you below the standard number of credits per semester, assuming you can’t add another class.</p>
<p>Otherwise, yes, that’s definitely a valid reason to want to wait a semester to take a class. If having a class at 8 is going to affect your ability to learn the material and do well in the course, put it off for a semester. Personally, being up at 7 makes me sick for the rest of the day, so if I take an 8am all my grades take a hit.</p>
<p>Alternatively, find yourself a better clock. One of the ones that rolls around the room or makes you solve a math problem or something.</p>
<p>I recommend dropping the class. Also I would avoid taking any early classes until you are sure that you will be able to wake up and be sufficiently awake to go to class. Hopefully this will just be a temporary situation.</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses guys.
To clear it up, this is simply a required course for my school. I can complete it any semester until I graduate, and it will be offered every semester.
Regarding my sleep habits, I really don’t know. In high school, I was obviously able to wake up before 7. I’m not sure if my body just needs re-trained or what.</p>
<p>The easy answer is to take a later class. But the hard question is whether or not the health problems started with college? If so what is your body telling you?</p>
<p>Don’t worry about it sounding stupid. The important thing is doing well in the class, and if that means taking it at a later date/time, then do so. Besides, you don’t have to tell your advisor that it’s too early. You can either not give an excuse or use one that you feel sounds better- you can always say that with your health issue, it’s too much to take that many credits.</p>
<p>Hey I was in the same situation, I take meds that make me sleep 10 hours a night and I had an early class last term. I ended up dropping the class, which I sort of regret because I replaced it with a crappier class and my roommate woke me up early anyway. If you don’t take any early classes throughout all of college you’ll limit your course taking options a lot. I think you should sleep earlier and wake up earlier, and then you will be fine. But it all depends on your personal style</p>
<p>Hey, anyone who is concerned about “when its offered” and “if its required” has no idea what they are talking about. I am in the same situation right now, nothing is more important than being able to actually go to class and once you get there, be able to stay awake to learn the material. The best thing to do is go talk to the disability center at your school, they will be able to help you with accommodations. They are usually very helpful (almost lawyer-like, they are really concerned with helping you advocate for yourself).</p>
<p>For example, my final exam for my 8am has been moved to 11am, people can take notes for you if needed, etc…</p>
<p>You may want to follow up with your doc regarding the medication. Explain it’s effects on you. He may recommend taking it earlier, trying a smaller dosage, or trying a different medication all together. A medication shouldn’t leave you feeling that out of it in the morning. (The dosage might just be too high for you. In Europe, meds are given by body weight, but here in the US, the 250lb guy will be given the same dose as a 120 lb woman. )</p>