Is it too early for students in Ho Chi Minh City to start class at 6:30?

Representatives of some universities said that due to the characteristics of Ho Chi Minh City, it is normal for students to have their first period at 6:30 am. Moreover, when training by credit, students have the right to choose suitable study time frames.

Many schools have applied the first period from 6:30.

In recent days, the news that Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade plans to adjust its timetable, starting the first class at 6:30 a.m., has caused a stir among many students.

Many students think that the 6:30 a.m. class time is too early, but there are also opinions in support because it is suitable for the traffic and climate of Ho Chi Minh City.

In fact, starting classes at 6:30 am is not a new thing for students at many universities in Ho Chi Minh City. For many years, some schools have applied similar class schedules.

At Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry, the class schedule is divided into three shifts (16 periods in total), starting at 6:30 and ending at 21:00. According to Dr. Nguyen Trung Nhan, Head of the Training Department, this time frame has been applied for many years and helps lecturers and students arrange their time more flexibly.

Similarly, Ho Chi Minh City University of Education also starts the first period at 6:30. Each class is divided into two shifts, each with 3 periods. However, only faculties with the first shift schedule have students start early, not all schools apply this. The flexible shift division helps the school reduce pressure on facilities and creates conditions for students to choose the time that suits their personal needs.

The 6:30 time slot offers many advantages.

The question is whether 6:30 am is too early for students in Ho Chi Minh City or not? According to many opinions, in the actual conditions of Ho Chi Minh City, this time frame is not unreasonable. The city does not have winter, only two rainy and dry seasons, so around 5:00 am the sky is already bright. Traveling from 5:30 am to 6:00 am onwards is quite convenient, not too different from other popular time frames. In addition, studying early also brings some practical benefits.

Students of Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade. Photo: NTCC

Mr. Pham Thai Son, Director of Admissions at Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade, said that starting classes at 6:30 a.m. could help reduce traffic pressure in the inner city. If students go to school about half an hour earlier, they will avoid rush hour when high school students go to school, thereby contributing to reducing traffic jams - a long-standing problem in Ho Chi Minh City.

According to Circular 20/2020 of the Ministry of Education and Training, schools are autonomous in arranging timetables; students can choose early or late classes depending on their needs.

“If students do not want to study early, they can choose to study later. But for those who have the habit of waking up early, 6:30 is the ideal time to start an effective day,” said Mr. Son.

From another perspective, according to Mr. Son, studying early also helps improve learning efficiency and practice healthy living habits. Many studies show that early morning is the time when the mind is most alert and concentration is highest. Maintaining the habit of waking up early, moving early, and going to school on time is also a way for students to practice discipline and initiative - important skills in the university environment and future careers.

Of course, it cannot be denied that early learning can be inconvenient for some students who live far away or have to travel by public transport. However, with credit-based training, schools have flexibly arranged early classes for specific faculties and groups, and organized late classes for students in need. This not only meets diverse learning needs but also reduces the pressure of using classrooms, saving energy and time. Students can proactively register for a suitable timetable, instead of studying according to the year system - which requires everyone to go to school at the same time.

Dr. Nguyen Trung Nhan, Head of Training Department, Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry, said he fully supports starting the first class at 6:30 a.m. According to him, this is a reasonable time frame and has been applied at the school for many years.

“This is just the first class of the day, it doesn’t mean all students have to study from 6:30,” Mr. Nhan said, adding that the school always arranges many time options for students to register for suitable courses. Those who want to study early can register for the first class to finish early in the day, and those who don’t want to study early can choose the next class.

According to Mr. Nhan, arranging the first class at 6:30 helps to create a reasonable schedule, equivalent to about four shifts a day. Each shift usually lasts about three periods. If it starts later, the following shifts will have to last until 12 noon or later, causing inconvenience to both lecturers and students.

"Just 1-2 early morning classes a week is completely suitable," said Mr. Nhan. According to him, students should get used to waking up early, because later when entering the labor market, many jobs also require such initiative in time.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/sinh-vien-o-tphcm-vao-hoc-luc-6h30-co-qua-som-2457025.html