When you began college, you were likely advised to avoid 8 a.m. classes at all costs and to sleep in as much as possible. It is true that cramming for exams, completing last-minute assignments and weekend partying will keep you up late, seemingly eliminating any chance for an early start to your day.
Although adopting the night owl sleep schedule — or having no sleep schedule at all — is certainly tempting under these circumstances, research suggests that consistently waking up early produces an array of benefits, including a boost in productivity and mental well-being. An article by Harvard Health Publishing even declares that moving your wake-up time up by just one hour lowers the risk of depression.
But how can this be feasible for a college student’s lifestyle? And besides the notion of improved mental health, what can realistically be accomplished in the mornings to make an earlier start to the day feel worth it?
Minor Adjustments Go a Long Way
Becoming a so-called morning person does not mean you need to wake up at 5 a.m. to see tangible results. As the aforementioned Harvard study suggests, starting by getting up just one hour before the time you usually do can make a huge difference. In addition to mental health benefits, this small change to your routine gives you more time to get ready, allowing you to slow down and minimize stress in the morning.
To avoid pressing “snooze” when first making this switch, put your alarm out of arm’s reach so you are forced to leave your bed in order to shut it off. This movement will jolt you awake and help prevent you from falling back asleep.
Do Something You Enjoy as a Part of Your Routine
Giving yourself something to look forward to as you wake up can also help make early mornings more bearable. Instead of immediately beginning your morning routine, adding a calming, pleasant component to your a.m. can make it a more positive experience.
For example, you can keep a morning journal and write about the day ahead. You can make your favorite breakfast and take the time to truly savor it. You can take a long shower and start the day feeling refreshed. It does not necessarily matter what it is, but including an enjoyable component to your morning routine will make it easier to stick to it. Plus, having that extra time in the morning gives you the ability to add this step into it without being rushed.
A Lighter Workload
Productivity in the mornings has the potential to lighten your workload significantly. Instead of saving all your assignments for the afternoon or evening, try to do one as a part of your morning routine. It can be something simple, like a short discussion post or a portion of a reading. Even if it is small, it crosses a task off your to-do list later in the day.
If you feel like you cannot perform at your academic peak in the mornings, you could do a chore instead. Doing a load of laundry or tidying up your room are also great yet gentle ways to have a productive start to your day.
Or if you are trying to stay active, you can also use this time to go to the gym or workout at home instead of exercising later in the day when you have less energy.
The morning can feel like the most challenging time of the day, especially if you are not an early bird by nature or have a jam packed schedule. However, slightly altering your routine can make them more valuable and improve the rest of your day. You might even grow to enjoy the sound of your alarm clock.
