Do you know what Mark Wahlberg, Jennifer Aniston, Casey Neistat, and Michelle Obama all have in common? They all dedicate at least part of their success to their daily routines. Each of these celebrities attribute success to routine and more specifically, waking up early.

As a new student at Hope, it is easy to fall into the typical college routine of 3 am nights and 12 pm mornings. Besides, who’s supposed to say you can’t? Most students fall under the impression that “fun” only happens at night, and if they go to bed early they fear they will miss out.

That is just not true.

At Hope some of the most exciting moments are filling the 10:30 am chapel with friends who all share the same love for Christ and fellowship with each other. The most laughter can be heard in Cook and Phelps Dining hall from 5 to 7 pm as friends and faculty alike share a meal. Evenings are filled with socializing, studying, and club activities that create friendships that last a lifetime.

After research and experimentation, I have found that I am most productive, most content and happiest when I wake up earliest. In my latest Youtube video, I changed my routine from going to bed at 2 or 3 in the morning and waking up at 11 or 12 to going to bed at 10 pm and waking up at 4 am.

“Why are you waking up at 4 am?” “What is the point?” “This cannot be healthy” “We miss you at night”. The truth is, I do this for me. Transitioning to college can be a difficult time physically, emotionally, and mentally. Waking up at 4 am allows me to focus on my mental health and have that alone time I have been depriving myself of. The tranquility of these mornings brings peace as well as focus so that I can accomplish my day to day goals. In this time I connect with God through my devotional; I focus on work without the distraction of texts, calls, or emails, and I spend time in silence with just my thoughts.

In a time when our lives are filled with the advice and opinions of everyone, it is important to find time to listen to ourselves. For me, that time is found at 4 in the morning. (Clearly I am destined for Mark Wahlberg-level greatness). For others it may be different. Everyone has goals and expectations for you but I would encourage you to find time to listen to yourself and discern what you want to be your goals as you walk along your vocational path.

If you found any truth in these words or enjoyed my video, please leave a like and share so that this message can reach those that need to hear this. Thank you so much and I’ll see you next week:)

Published by Ethan Getchell

Class of 2023 Hometown: Portland, MI Major: Business, Communications

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