Thoroughly agree with your comments re: transitioning to an "early riser." After years of being a VERY late-shifted night owl (often going to bed around 4-5 in the morning), I started medical school this fall and realized it just wasn't going to work.
Perhaps in an effort to gear us up for years of early waking (for most specialties, at least), nearly all of our lectures and exams are at 8am! I found that my brain just wasn't working at full capacity come exam time, even if I went to bed early the night before the exam. It was conditioned in my brain and body clock that 8am was supposed to be sleep time, no matter that a test bubble sheet was before me on the desk.
I also came to nearly the same conclusions you did--that the key is ALWAYS waking up at the same time whenever possible. I chose 6am, and it's working well thus far. I've been much more mentally alert for my last couple exams, and yet when push come to shove I can still stay up later if necessary for studying or finishing up some assignment.
