Join the early bird club.

Before I start this article, I must acknowledge that this is a controversial take (Bwog has argued this before, but I’m adding my own thoughts). Regardless of the opinions of the general student body, I will state my truth: I love 8:40s. As a sophomore, out of the four semesters I’ve spent at Barnard, I’ve had three semesters with an 8:40. Yes, crazy, I know. But I’d like to think that this has allowed me to gather a wealth of knowledge regarding what makes 8:40s the best classes to take. If you stop and think about it, there are a lot of underrated positives that counter the not-even-so-negative negatives commonly associated with 8:40s. 

8:40s Are Easier to Register For

Every Barnard and Columbia student knows just how atrocious registering for classes can be. Classes get closed out before it even gets to your registration time slot, you basically have to fight to get off of waitlists, and odds are you don’t even end up in any classes that fulfill your requirements. But do you know how to guarantee you at least get into one class? Register for an 8:40! An 8:40 most likely won’t conflict with anything else in your schedule, and since most people are avoiding them like the plague, you’ll have a much easier time getting into one. I originally registered for a random 8:40 English class last year just to have another class on my schedule, and now I’m actually majoring in English, so you never know. Taking an 8:40 might just lead you to your destiny. 

Campus is Super Quiet

Since the majority of students on campus don’t start class until 10:10, campus is always blissfully quiet on the way to an 8:40. If you want to dodge lines to get into campus, skip the wait to get coffee or breakfast in the dining halls, or just want to enjoy campus without being bombarded with people walking in all directions, 8:40s are for you. Instead of having to wait to scan my ID, I breeze onto campus, quickly grab a coffee and a muffin from Liz’s, and still have enough time to wait for the elevator in Barnard Hall or Milbank. That’s one of the best perks of an 8:40: you don’t have to squeeze into an elevator with a million other people and instead get one to yourself. It’s definitely a privilege. 

You Get to Feel Godly

Do you know how good it feels to wake up before the majority of students, see campus while it’s empty, start your day earlier, and just generally be more productive? It feels awesome. I’m not going to lie, it definitely gives me an ego boost when I tell people that I’m taking an 8:40 and they tell me that they never could. Maybe you can’t, but I can. It makes you feel like you’re better than most people. You have the ability to wake up and start your day before anyone else. While they’re sitting in a class that ends at 7 pm, you’re already done with all of your classes and work. You get to chill, while they don’t. If you’re looking for an ego boost and want to feel like you’re a god, 8:40s are definitely for you. Taking an 8:40 gives you implicit permission to lord it over everyone else. 

I’ll leave it here: if you’ve never taken an 8:40 before, take one. Your college experience won’t be complete without taking an 8:40. 

Image via Bwarchives