When we move on from high school to college, it’s easy to fall into a habit of late nights and early mornings. No more parents! No more bedtimes! No more full-day of classes! This all sounds amazing, right?
But even if you stay up all night watching Netflix (I mean studying), at some point you will have an early class, group meeting and general life responsibility you will have to take care of before noon. I can’t tell you the countless amount of times I’ve logged into Snapchat in the morning and see posts from friends at 4 A.M. still working. I’ll see them later in the day looking like they’re about to fall asleep in their chair.
In order to boost your productivity, here are some pointers to help start your day right, straight from a self-proclaimed “Morning Person.”
Sleep is key! Researchers suggest that college students should be getting between seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Try to aim as best as you can to that time range to ensure waking up feeling energized. Along with this, stick to a normal sleep schedule. That means going to bed and waking up around the same time each day. This will help ensure you get the sleep you need. Also, it helps get your body into a routine, so you’ll be able to wake up early in the morning with no problem!
Photo via @beedurst
Plan your outfit the night before! To beat the morning struggle of finding the perfect outfit to wear, plan what you’re going to wear before you go to sleep! Mix and match pieces, then lay out the ones you want on a chair. It will save you time and energy without sacrificing style. It will also give you time to check out outfit inspirations online to make your look amazing as you stroll into class.
Photo via @lynzrin
Sweat it out! Even just a few minutes of exercise in the morning can help wake you up and feel energized. It helps get your blood pumping, and it’ll build your endurance to tackle a long day of work. Not in the mood to work out? Try yoga instead! Spend some time stretching after getting out bed to get your mind focused.
Photo via @jordannnleee
Wake your skin up! Your skin needs a lot of attention in the morning. If you shower in the morning, use cold water! It’s a quick wake-up call to make your body alert and get rid of the sluggish feeling. There are also health benefits to cold showers! Turning down the heat will leave you with better skin and shinier hair. If you leave your showering for the night, use a daily scrub to open up your pores and eyes in the morning.
Photo via @mariannaelisa
Don’t skip breakfast! Breakfast IS the most important meal of the day. Skipping it will leave you unfocused and with no energy. Fuel your body with fruit, oatmeal, or a smoothie to give you the nutrients you need. If you don’t have time to make something, grab a snack like almonds or yogurt to eat lightly while you’re in class to hold you over.
Photo via @tabihoshmand
