One of the greatest aspects of college life is that universities often offer courses at different times throughout the day, providing flexibility to students. There are many reasons students would enjoy such flexibility, e.g., to attend to other busy responsibilities or pursuits like maintaining a working-studying lifestyle. Some universities even allow high school students to start by enrolling in undergraduate courses and earning credits.
Colleges often offer various course schedules like twice a week or every day, and morning, afternoon, and evening classes create convenience. The expediency allows students to choose what works best for them depending on their life circumstances. Many students find the options favorable, making U.S. universities particularly popular among international students.
Some people, especially working adults, prefer night or evening classes they can attend after a workday. There are pros and cons of attending such late lessons, and you should weigh them carefully before choosing.
Pros For Taking Night Classe
There are several advantages associated with taking night classes. There are four distinct appeals to note when opting for the late lessons:
1. Faster Course Completion
For various reasons, you may want to complete your degree early. Night courses enable you to do this when you combine it with other day classes. Some people desire to finish the undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the shortest time possible. You can set your target according to GRE test dates to know how much time you have and plan accordingly.
2. Flexibility in Schedules
If you work during the day, night classes offer you the flexibility to manage your daytime schedules. A person with an 8 to 5 job can comfortably attend night lessons and still have time to meet their work/school obligations. Everyday needs or preferences like childcare and other social commitments also make the flexibility of night classes ideal.
3. Extra Time to Prepare for Classes
Many students at some point feel like they are rushing against time to complete school assignments or even study. Nighttime classes give the advantage of ample daytime preparation to avoid the rush of submission deadlines. You can get a little extra studying in the morning before a big exam.
Late-Night Suitability
Some students thrive at night and struggle with early-morning schedules. If you are a night owl, night classes are your best bet at keeping you alert and succeeding in your course. However, if you are often drowsy by 8 p.m., these may not be the classes for you.
Cons For Taking Night Classes
As much as night classes offer the desired flexibility of managing busy lifestyles, there are some pitfalls associated with night learning.
It is essential to take cognizance of the cons of this new-age learning mode to avoid suffering its negative consequences.
Some disadvantages of night classes include:
Deprived Social Lifestyle
When you attend night classes, your day’s activities consist of formal engagements, lessons preparation, studying, and other activities other than socializing. After class, it wouldn’t be surprising if all you can do is sleep. This kind of lifestyle means your social life is almost non-existent, depriving you of an essential need in life.
Burnout Potential
Night-schooling guarantees engagement of the brain when it typically rests or experiences passive activities. When you combine night classes and working, which is relatively common for the average college student, burnout is inevitable. The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) and U.S. Department of Education statistics show that 81 percent of part-time students work, and 46 percent work for 35 hours or more per week. This work and schooling habit is a recipe for burnout.
Longer Lesson Time
Night classes usually have longer lesson times, mainly because of the lack of breaks that characterize full-time learning. Exposure to lengthy classes after a full day of activity is exhausting and can lead to fatigue. The night classes also need more energy and focus because you are in a classroom setting when you’re usually at home spending personal time. This type of engagement can be draining.
Decreased Attention Span
Taking classes at night could be overwhelming overtime or unsustainable if you have overloaded your schedule. The strain can cause decreased attention span during classes, leading to poor school performance. It is vital to take a break during your day from classwork.
Know Your Limits and Thrive During Night Classes
The critical thing is to avoid testing your limits to succeed in night classes. It is essential to know how far you can push yourself to avoid suffering the devastating effects of burnout and fatigue. Such exhaustion effects have a bearing on your mental health, associated with taking in more commitments than you can handle. Now knowing the pros and cons of night learning, you can decide its suitability to your lifestyle.
Image Credits: Pixabay
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