Are you taking or planning to take a three-hour class? Whether it’s your own choice to take it or it’s a mandatory class for graduation, we got you! Three-hour classes can be something straight out of a nightmare, but luckily there are ways to cope with the experience during the semester. Taking into account my own experience with these types of courses, and the answers from a survey I conducted for UPRRP students, here are some tips on surviving a three-hour class.
#1: Bring THE snacks (yes, the best ones you hide in your bedroom just for you!)
Surviving a three-hour class on an empty stomach sounds remotely impossible. Always try your best to have a full stomach before going to class. Also, try to bring snacks—they will keep you energized and on a full stomach until your next break/meal. But don’t over do it with a huge carb meal, because they can make you sleepy! So make sure you eat and bring snacks, but be mindful on the amount of food intake.
#2: Comfort over fashion, anytime.
Most of the surveyors and I agreed that bringing comfortable clothes is a need when trying to survive these classes. Sitting in a chair for three hours can be totally tiring. However, with the right fit, you can overcome anything!
Always bring a jacket—it can and/or will get cold at any moment.
Leggings, joggers, and sweatpants can always do the trick. They are comfortable and mostly easy to walk around with. Jeans aren’t always the best option. Depending on the jeans you choose, they sometimes tend to stick to the skin and limit your movements which will become a bit uncomfortable when sitting exactly the same way for three hours straight.
However, at the end of the day, whichever clothes you choose will be enough. Just find what suits you best and keeps you comfortable the whole period!
#3: Become friends with your fellow classmates.
Although these three-hour classes are often given on a single day of the week, you and your classmates will spend an enormous amount of time together. Most likely, you will eventually form a bond with someone or with everyone. You’ll become a tight-knit family—and families support and help each other out!
To the best of your ability, try to maintain communication with your fellow classmates. Make a group chat and even make study-focused hangouts! It will boost your experience. You will not feel alone and if help is ever needed, you’ll find it among each other.
#4: Organization is the key.
By organization, I mean that taking notes, time management, compartmentalizing your workload, understanding your academic strengths, and managing and balancing other classes should be the priority when taking a three-hour class. Once you find your groove in it, you’ll be ready to take on anything!
#5: Do not leave for tomorrow what you could do today.
You should try to do your three-hour class’s homework as soon as possible—maybe even try to do them the same day if it doesn’t require a significant amount of time to complete it. Since the class already takes a significant amount of time from that day’s schedule, it is better to finish its corresponding homework/tasks as soon as possible to avoid increasing your workload, which could potentially mean more stress.
So, finish the work as soon as possible so it won’t take time from your other things!
Most of the surveyors agreed that taking a three-hour class takes another level of dedication and focus. You need to be mentally and physically prepared for the challenges these classes demand. Although the recommendation rate is at an advantage, there is a big percentage of the surveyors that wouldn’t recommend it. Therefore, to maximize the benefits of a three-hour class, you must be focused, interested in the topic, and dedicated to their specific workload. By doing so, you’ll succeed—and proudly announce to everyone you actually survived a three-hour class!