It’s safe to say that most students aren't morning people. Actually, most
people aren't morning people. Don’t worry - you can change!
And with a new semester on the horizon, it's time to think about changing sooner than later.
Adapting into a morning people will not only benefit you in your academic life, but in your personal life as well. You will find that you won’t feel as rushed, you’ll feel more prepared and on top of your game, ready to take on whatever comes your way.
Don’t believe it? Take on the challenge for a month and try to become a morning person. If you don’t feel a difference in your routine, then you can return to your old ways.
Set a Bedtime –
You probably thought that having a bedtime was long gone, along with choosing whether or not you get to have a cookie before dinner.
However, getting your body used to a schedule can help you form normal sleep habits, making it much easier to wake up earlier.
Eventually, you may not even need to set an alarm clock because your body will function like it’s own alarm clock!
Don’t Keep Your Alarm Clock Next to Your Bed –
This one is obvious – you can’t hit snooze while in bed if your alarm clock is too far away to do so.
This will force you to stand up, get out of bed and make the decision to press snooze (which you won’t after reading the next tip).
Set Music as Your Alarm Tone –
Have you ever heard of waking up on the wrong side of the bed? How on earth can anyone expect to wake up in a great mood to an annoying beep or ringing tone? Surely, that’s where the expression originated. That’s enough to drive a person insane!
Set your alarm to a music station or playlist so you wake up slowly and calmly and, most importantly, in a mood that’s ready to conquer the day.
Get Up the First Time You Wake Up –
Instead of pressing snooze on your alarm clock or, even if you happen to wake up beforehand, get out of bed! Yes – it’s going to be hard when you begin the habit. But, once it becomes a habit, it will be much easier (which is why they call it a habit).
If you press snooze or roll over and lay there half-asleep, you’ll likely sleep in and, let’s be honest, it’s not quality sleep anyway.
Open Your Curtains and/or Blinds –
Fall asleep with your curtains or blinds open so that you can let the sunshine in! The natural daylight helps your brain recognize it’s time to wake up in the morning.
Sometimes, if enough daylight comes in, you won’t even need an alarm clock.
If your room gets too sunny too early in the morning (say, the crack of dawn) or is too bright at night, open your shades right when you wake up in the morning, to signal to your mind and body that it’s time to wake up.
Create a Morning Ritual –
Wake up earlier than necessary so you’re not rushing out the door and – wait for it -
just relax.
Watch the morning news, make coffee, read the paper, check social media or do whatever it is you do to relax. Go for a jog, stretch, take a shower and get dressed and then head to class.
You’ll be amazed at how much better you feel that you didn’t have to rush to get there. You’ll feel prepared and ready to tackle the day.
