When a research paper published in Nature Human Behaviour suggested that early morning university classes were linked to poor sleep and lower academic performance, one astrophysics professor in Ireland couldn’t resist poking fun at the findings.
Peter Coles, a theoretical astrophysicist at Maynooth University, shared a screenshot of the study on Mastodon, where he added his own witty twist. “What nonsense! I find the students sleep perfectly well during my early-morning lectures,” he joked.
His tongue-in-cheek remark quickly grabbed attention online, turning a dry academic debate into a moment of universal relatability.
Internet joins the laugh
Coles’ post struck a chord with current and former students alike, who poured in their own experiences of nodding off in class.
One user quipped: “The way things are going, the working day for these graduates will end up being midday, assuming employers are happy to put up with that and employ them.”
Another recalled: “Strangely I remember my lectures on bacterial genetics having that effect too!”
Others admitted that classroom sleep was almost a tradition. One wrote about struggling in a Friday morning lecture held underground: “The best I managed was to stay awake for eight minutes, worst about four.” Another added: “During my undergrad, I considered the day a success if I made it through one class without falling asleep.”
Humor in academia
While the study highlighted serious concerns about how class schedules affect student health and performance, Coles’ reaction reminded many that academia is as much about perspective as it is about data. His light-hearted dismissal resonated because nearly everyone has battled drowsiness in an early lecture hall at some point.
Coles, who is well known for his work in cosmology and the large-scale structure of the universe, managed to bring the discussion down from galaxies to ground-level student life with a single witty remark.
Whether it is astrophysics at 9 am or genetics at dawn, one thing is clear: the struggle to stay awake in early lectures is a shared experience that transcends subjects, universities, and even countries.
And while researchers may continue debating the science behind it, Coles’ playful jab reminds us that sometimes humor is the best way to connect with both students and the wider world.
Peter Coles, a theoretical astrophysicist at Maynooth University, shared a screenshot of the study on Mastodon, where he added his own witty twist. “What nonsense! I find the students sleep perfectly well during my early-morning lectures,” he joked.
His tongue-in-cheek remark quickly grabbed attention online, turning a dry academic debate into a moment of universal relatability.
Internet joins the laugh
Coles’ post struck a chord with current and former students alike, who poured in their own experiences of nodding off in class.
One user quipped: “The way things are going, the working day for these graduates will end up being midday, assuming employers are happy to put up with that and employ them.”
Another recalled: “Strangely I remember my lectures on bacterial genetics having that effect too!”
Others admitted that classroom sleep was almost a tradition. One wrote about struggling in a Friday morning lecture held underground: “The best I managed was to stay awake for eight minutes, worst about four.” Another added: “During my undergrad, I considered the day a success if I made it through one class without falling asleep.”
Humor in academia
While the study highlighted serious concerns about how class schedules affect student health and performance, Coles’ reaction reminded many that academia is as much about perspective as it is about data. His light-hearted dismissal resonated because nearly everyone has battled drowsiness in an early lecture hall at some point.
Coles, who is well known for his work in cosmology and the large-scale structure of the universe, managed to bring the discussion down from galaxies to ground-level student life with a single witty remark.
Whether it is astrophysics at 9 am or genetics at dawn, one thing is clear: the struggle to stay awake in early lectures is a shared experience that transcends subjects, universities, and even countries.
And while researchers may continue debating the science behind it, Coles’ playful jab reminds us that sometimes humor is the best way to connect with both students and the wider world.
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