College is all about staying up late and procrastination, right? At least to some, spending your days running from classes to extracurricular activities leaves only the late night hours to get work done.
What if there was a better way to handle this? Over the years, several respectable organizations including Entrepreneur and Forbes have conducted research that proves waking up early and at a consistent time every day is better for your health and overall productivity.
This doesn’t mean that you can never stay up late again, but rather focus on trying to develop a routine during the week. If you give it a try, you might find you’re doing better in class, have more energy, and have more free time to hang with friends or do other activities you like.
Here are some tips on how to start:
- Set your alarm for 7am (or any morning time)
Once you pick your time, set that alarm on repeat for every day. I know this may sound crazy, but your body will adjust and the new early morning will soon become routine.
- Plan to eat breakfast
I know you’ve heard it a million times before, but breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. It will help jumpstart your metabolism and help your brain get ready for the day.
- Set out your clothes the night before
If you have your clothes ready to go, then you’ll have one less thing to think about in the morning. This will also help trick your brain into thinking it has already accomplished something first thing in the morning.
- Have a something you want to get done when you wake up
If have a task that you want or need to accomplish, you will be more likely to get up in the morning. Try typing up that English paper you’ve been putting off or plan to cook yourself breakfast. No matter if the task is large or small, when you complete it, you’ll feel relief, you’ll start your day productively, and you’ll feel empowered. This will set the tone for the rest of the day. You might just find that you have more time in the evening to relax.
- Go to bed 20 minutes earlier than you normally would
You don’t need to tackle the world at once, so start small. Gradually let your body adjust to your new routine. Consider turning off your electronics 30 minutes before hitting the pillow—this will help you sleep better in the long-run. Overtime, you’ll find it easier and easier to fall asleep.
Whether you view waking up earlier as a life hack or a begrudging task, the act itself can empower you to be a better student, worker, and friend.
Great article and so true! Most mornings I wake up just before the alarm as my body already knows what to do.