Those aimlessly roaming the Internet late at night can now go to class instead. Some students at colleges, like Bunker Hill Community College in Boston, have been attending lectures past midnight since the idea originated there in 2009, according to an Oct. 26 USA Today article.

A handful of colleges across the country are offering midnight classes to accommodate students with children, inflexible jobs or simply a habit of staying up late, according to the article. This phenomenon helps manage over-enrollment and overbooked classes by providing unconventional meeting times — some lasting until 2:55 a.m.

Chancellor Nancy Cantor did not rule out the possibility of Syracuse University implementing midnight classes but said in an email it was unlikely.

Vice Chancellor and Provost Eric Spina said he did not know if SU plans on implementing midnight classes.

‘This is the first I have heard of this, and I am not aware of any colleges at SU considering such a move,’ he said in an email.

Lookman Mojeed, a senior biology and international relations major, said implementing midnight classes at SU can be viewed as practical. But a course would need to be sufficiently interesting and interactive to compel him to attend class and remain alert throughout, he said.

‘The idea is smart because the majority of the classes I would like to take overlap,’ Mojeed said. ‘Introducing midnight classes would most likely lessen the overlap. But realistically, I probably wouldn’t make it to class that late.’

Though midnight classes are still uncommon, they are becoming popular in community colleges, where two-thirds of the students work full or part time, according to the article.

Joy Goodie, an adjunct instructor at the Community College of Baltimore County who teaches a midnight psychology class, said midnight classes demand familiarity with one’s personal habits — like knowing what part of the day when one is most productive.

‘On the day of class I usually work a full day, do homework with the kids and make dinner,’ said Goodie in an email. ‘Just before class, I often see patients in my private practice, grab a bite to eat and catch up on grading papers. It is important to understand your personal circadian rhythm so that you do not find yourself impacted negatively by doing this type of class.’

It is critical to have enough mental agility instead of merely being able to power through, Goodie said.

‘It is not for everyone, and there is also a big difference from being awake at that hour and being in a place where your learning ability is maximized,’ she said.

Some may wonder why anyone would choose to enroll in a midnight class when online courses are now widely available. But an online class does not suit everyone’s learning style, Goodie said.

‘Online courses require that you are a self-starter, independent learner, comfortable on the Internet,’ said Goodie, who is also a mental health consultant. ‘This type of learning does not work for everyone.’

Midnight classes offer non-traditional students who may work second shifts a chance to further their education, said Charles Miron, coordinator of CCBC’s psychology department, in a Dec. 6, 2010, press release.

‘As our society diversifies, so must our way of educating students so that learning is equalized,’ Goodie said. ‘The day of the traditional student is gone.’ 

chlevin@syr.edu

Published on November 1, 2011 at 12:00 pm