The Alarm Clock

Summary

Cassandra, a pre-med student, struggles through a night of studying, balancing the need for sleep with the demands of her rigorous coursework, only to be awakened by her alarm clock at the end of her rest.

Abstract

Cassandra, a dedicated pre-med student, meticulously plans her sleep schedule around her late-night study sessions. Despite her best efforts to stay awake and focused while tackling subjects like Calculus and Organic Chemistry, she frequently dozes off. Her attempts to perk up with coffee are only temporarily effective, and she ultimately resorts to walking and singing to combat drowsiness. Just as she thinks she'll meet her goal of sleeping by 10 pm, she is abruptly awakened by her alarm clock, signaling the start of a new day.

Opinions

Cassandra views sleep as a luxury that must be strategically planned around her demanding study schedule.
The narrative suggests that the rigors of pre-med coursework often lead to sleep deprivation and exhaustion.
Coffee is portrayed as a necessary but not always effective tool for maintaining alertness during late-night study sessions.
The story implies that the cycle of studying late into the night and waking up early is a common and challenging aspect of being a pre-med student.
The author, T.K. McDonald, seems to empathize with the plight of students like Cassandra, highlighting the emotional and physical toll of academic pressure.
The use of the alarm clock as a plot device emphasizes the relentless pace of student life, where rest is often interrupted by responsibilities.

Only when I wake up does it matter

“If I go to bed by 10:00 pm, let me see, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Yes, that will work. I can get six full hours of sleep.” Cassandra murmured. Anytime she had to study all night, she tried to figure out how much time she would get to sleep.

For a pre-med student, there were always going to be long nights and Cassandra understood that, but at times it became difficult to do.

She got started on her homework. Calculus first, as she worked at the various mathematical equations, she felt herself dosing off. As her head drooped and jerked sharply, she woke up.

She decided there was no way to get through the night without coffee. Almost running to the kitchen, she pulled out her Folger’s Coffee and Cinnamon and filled the coffee filter.

As she began to turn on the coffee pot, her mind began slowing down.

She awakened, sure that she had just fallen asleep standing up. She looked over at the clock and was happy to see that only 10 minutes had passed. As the coffee percolated she went back to her studies.

Finishing up her Calculus, she moved on to Organic Chemistry. As she read the text, her eyes begin to water, and off to sleep she went. She woke up an hour later, shocked at how tired she felt. “I must get some coffee in me.”

After drinking two cups of coffee and walking around her living room, she got back to work. Education was necessary, but maddening at the same time.

Getting back to Organic Chemistry, she begin to finally get some of the work done. Within two hours she was finished. She only had one more subject to study tonight and she could finally get some sleep. She picked up her Human Physiology book.

While holding her book, the caffeine began to wear off, and once again she felt herself falling asleep. This time, she immediately got up and begin to walk around the room with her book and sing.

She was actually going to make it to bed by 10 pm. As she turned the final page to the chapter she was reading, she could hear a noise off in the distance.

“What the hell is that?” She thought to herself and begin walking in the direction of the noise. As she got closer to the sound, everything around her begin to fade.

Everything, but the sound. It got louder and louder and finally, she realized what it was.

Under her breath, she said “Damnit!” The alarm clock was going off and it was time to get up.

T.K. McDonald gives you twists, turns, and teasers in every story. She’s here to scare you, make you laugh, and cry all at once. Subscribe to her page for more great stories.