Working the 5am shift at a coffee shop IN Oxford. How do I not fall asleep in class? ☕

[Borris]

Hey y'all. I'm a sophomore at Ole Miss, and this semester I picked up a barista job at a busy coffee shop on the Square. The shift? 5am to 10am, four days a week. I thought it would be perfect—I'd work before classes, still have afternoons free. But y'all... 5am is ROUGH. I'm dying.

By the time I get to my 11am Poli Sci lecture, I'm fighting for my life. My eyes are heavy, my notes are getting messy, and last week I definitely nodded off and drooled a little on my desk. So embarrassing .

Here's what I'm trying to make it work:

• I prep EVERYTHING the night before. Uniform, lunch bag, backpack, even my coffee mug is waiting by the door. Those extra 10 minutes of sleep matter.
• I found my "power hour." For me, it's right after work, 10:30-11:30. I'm already awake, already moving. I go straight to the library and knock out the hardest stuff before my brain realizes it's tired.
• Naps are not optional. If I have a break between classes, I find a quiet corner and close my eyes for 20 minutes. No shame.
• I told my professors. Not to get sympathy, but just so they know why I might look a little rough. Most have been cool about it.

The money is good, and I love my coworkers. But man, being a student AND an early-morning worker is a different kind of grind.

Any other early-morning workers out there? How do you survive?

 

[KarenWeiss]

Here's my survival guide:

1. Sleep hygiene is NOT optional. Blackout curtains, no phone in bed, same bedtime every night. Treat sleep like a job.
2. Meal prep like your life depends on it. If I don't have food ready, I eat garbage and crash harder.
3. Strategic naps. 20 minutes max, before 3pm. Any longer and you're worse off.
4. Accept the social sacrifice. You will miss stuff. It sucks but it's temporary.
5. Caffeine cut-off 2pm sharp. Even if you think you need it. You don't.
6. Your "power hour" idea is gold. I do the same thing but call it "the golden hour." Most productive time of my day.

Also, tell your professors! Most have been there and will cut you slack. One let me stand in the back of class so I wouldn't fall asleep lol.