With the school year starting again, it can be a difficult transition to start waking up before noon again. That six am alarm always comes far too soon, and the snooze button is certainly overused. That being said, getting up is usually the hardest part, so here are some tips to help you rise and shine even before the sun's up!

1. Get out of bed!

Though this seems self-explanatory, getting out of bed is often the most difficult task. Setting your phone or alarm clock away from your bed is a great trick because it forces you to get up!

2. Say goodbye to "snooze"

The truth of the matter is that taking a few more minutes to sleep will not do you any good in the long run, and it will make the process of waking up the second time much harder.

3. Create consistency!

By waking up at the same time every day, your body becomes accustomed to a routine. Setting a pattern of waking up, exercising, having coffee, or reading can really help you to feel awake.

4. Watch out for REM cycles

Your body sleeps in 90 minute cycles which include various depths of sleep. Waking up in the middle of a cycle, or during your most restful period, can lead you to feel groggy throughout the day. Alarm apps and websites are great resources to set a schedule so that you wake up at the end of a cycle.

5. Think about something you're excited to do that day

Motivation is much easier to have when there's an exciting event ahead. Remind yourself of something good to come during the day and it will become so much easier to get out of bed!

Rise and shine!