ten o'clock
She cared little for music , though she was extremely fond of poetry and now and then contributed verses for publication . Her essay on architecture at the close of the second year elicited applause from the students and praise in red ink across the first page of the composition . Self-government of the Vassar girls develops self-respect and self-control . A Vassar girl is bound on her honor to retire every night at ten o'clock , with three exceptions a month , to exercise in the gymnasium three hours a week , and to take at least one hour of outdoor exercise daily . Regular exercise , regular meals , nine hours of sleep , and plenty of mental work were rapidly preparing Gertrude to fill some noble position in the world . At Vassar other sources of mental rest and physical strength are , tennis-court tournaments , basket ball , rowing and skating on the lake , bicycling , or five-mile tramps , studying birds , photographing scenery , or gathering wild flowers . The Vassar girl is also enthusiastic over the `` Tree and Trig Ceremonies '' and amateur dramatic entertainments .