Let's face it, as college students, one of the most annoying things we have to do is get up for class. It really interferes with the crucial social education that college provides.
Anyway, if you're like me and have a hard time dragging yourself out of bed, here are some creative solutions to that problem. Some are soothing and holistic, and others give you a really good reason to avoid the snooze button. Either way, you'll be sure to get to that 8:30 a.m. class on time.
Crazy Blender Alarm Clock- It might look a little strange on your night stand, but it will certainly get you up for classes and work. This alarm clock looks like a little retro (think teal from the 60's) blender that is filled with styrofoam beads. When it's time to get up, the beads start whirling around, creating a noise I would imagine to be startling enough to raise any heavy sleeper. Apparently if you're able to withstand that auditory treat, there is carnival-like music that accompanies this chaos. $30 at www.coolest-gadgets.com
Flying Alarm Clock – At the time your alarm is set to go off, this delightful little gadget starts blaring an alarm similar to a submarine S.O.S. signal from old-school naval movies. If that isn't enough, after a few seconds, a propeller starts whirling around and eventually shoots up into the air. Here's the really fun part; the only way you can shut it off is to retrieve the propeller and put it back on the clock. I don't think I have that much patience in the morning, but if you want to check this out in action, visit http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/lights/9171/. $24.99 at www.thinkgeek.com
Soleil Sunrise Alarm Clock – If having the living daylights scared out of you isn't you're ideal way to start the day, maybe you'd prefer letting daylight itself do the work. This clock has a bulb on top that gets brighter and brighter (simulating a natural sunrise) over an interval of your choice between zero and 120 minutes. Unfortunately it seems having a mini sun on your nightstand comes at a steeper price than your conventional, digital models. $99.99 at www.gadgetshack.com
Puzzle Alarm Clock – I feel like this next alarm would do two things I don't like: wake me up, then challenge me when I'm not fully awake. This alarm clock sounds at the designated time, but it also shoots three puzzle pieces into the air. Then, in order to make the ruckus stop, you have to hunt down the pieces and solve the puzzle. No thanks. $97 at www.bimbambanana.com.
Nobby the Alarm Clock – I think the only thing worse than an alarm clock that shoots things out of it would be one that gives you lip. Nobby is a little cyclops alien that you can have a conversation with. You can ask him the time and he'll tell you, but if you don't get up when he yells “Rise and shine, it's time to get up!” he gets kind of nasty, ordering you to “Take your fingers out of your ears!” The only satisfaction this little creature brings is that you literally have to wring his neck to get him to shut up. Alarm clock and stress reliever...maybe he's not so bad. $14.95 at www.thesharperimage.com.
Loud Alarm Clock – This clock would scare the bejeezus out of me, but maybe some people need to be frightened within an inch of their lives in order to get out of bed. It looks a little like the cherry on top of a squad car, except it's blue. When it's time to get up, you are affronted with this message: “This is the police, you have until the count of three to get out of bed or we are coming in, 1…..2…..3” then a police alarm proceeds to sound and the light flashes, creating a hellish strobe light effect. I feel like this alarm clock might give me a complex about sirens, but hey, it might work for you. $27 at www.crazyaboutgadgets.com.
Clocky – This one would have to be the worst of the bunch, because if you ignore it, it starts rocketing around your room as if possessed. It would put an end to the snooze button habit though, because if you choose to delay getting out of bed, Clocky will roll off your nightstand and then you're forced to corral it to shut it off. This thing means business -- supposedly it can survive a vertical jump of about three feet! Not my idea of early morning exercise, but I guess it does what it's designed to do...get your lazy behind out of bed. To see this monster in action, visit http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/lights/91f2. $49.99 at www.thinkgeek.com.