There is nothing I hate more than my alarm beeping ferociously at me at 7 a.m. in the morning. Every single morning I go through the same internal battle of skipping class or not. Unfortunately for my sleep deprived self, the answer is usually to get my lazy butt up and go to class.
If I’m thinking correctly, it usually takes me approximately 30 minutes to get out of bed. Usually I’m trying to stay awake by scrolling through my phone, updating myself on everything that happened during the five or six hours of sleep I just had--som usually not much. I usually bury myself deeper into my sheets until I realize I’m going to be late to class at the rate that I’m going. So for those of you who see me walking to class in the morning and question what the heck I am wearing and why I look like a zombie, it is because I just rolled out of bed. Like literally two seconds ago, no joke. It is just too early to try or care for me.
I have woken up with this painful routine one too many times. And each morning I keep thinking to myself, There has got to be a better way to wake up. After some thinking and Googling, I finally cracked the case! For those who struggle as much as me in the morning, I hope this helps.
1. Wake up to music.
I remember when I was younger, my alarm clock was set to the song "Free Falling" for some reason, but it always got me out of bed feeling energetic. You are more likely to wake up in a better mood if you do so to upbeat music.
2. Drink a full glass of water.
So many people say it is so important to drink a glass of water because after eight hours of sleep without water, you are quite dehydrated. I recommend drinking a warm glass of lemon water or green tea. That will surely hydrate you and wake you up!
3. Avoid looking at your phone for the first 10 minutes after you wake up.
Some studies have shown that looking at your phone right after you wake up will put you in a worse mood than if you abstained from using your phone. If you are like me, you already checked all social media and texts right before bed, so I highly doubt the world has turned upside down in the middle of the night. Try focusing on yourself when you wake up. Just wake up with a clear mind. Don't be stressing on who texted you while you were asleep or what pictures were posted three hours ago; it is not important.
4. Have your alarm clock/phone across the room.
First, I would like to say that I feel like I am the only person who actually still has and uses an alarm clock. But if you are like me, plug it in across the room, so you have to get out of bed to turn it off. I can understand if you use your phone and don't want to follow this advice, especially since the alarms are fairly quiet in my opinion.
5. Have a to-do list for the day.
Nothing will make you feel better and more motivated to get up than a list of things to get done! I am a huge list person. Nothing quite beats the feeling of crossing off random chores on my to-do lists, so the quicker I get up, the quicker I can get started.
6. Go to bed earlier.
Sometimes it is so brutal to get up in the morning because you just went to bed not too long ago! Try going to bed 10 minutes earlier each night, and you will definitely wake up feeling more refreshed.
7. Do a couple of morning stretches.
Stretching will help wake you up and give you a mini exercise before the day. It will also make you feel a lot better about yourself, so why not?
8. Already know what you are going to wear.
Not that what you wear to class really matters that much, but you probably don't want to show up to class in the same stuff you went to bed in. Going to class in your pjs will make you feel tired and like you could still go to sleep. Try to change into something else and get the day started.
9. Wash your face.
This will definitely wake you up in the morning. I don't really think I have to explain why.
10. Eat breakfast!
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day! Even if it is yogurt or some microwavable oatmeal or a breakfast bar, just eat something!
11. Have your backpack ready to go.
Normally every night before bed, I have all my books and spirals in my backpack all zipped up. That way I don't feel stressed and scatterbrained the next morning about whether I have everything I need for class.
12. Open your blinds or curtains.
Let the sun shine in! Make sure your body knows the day has started. Getting ready for the day in the dark will make you feel drowsy and gross.
13. Make your bed
Finally, make your bed before going to class. This avoids the temptation to get back in bed. Plus, you are making your room look a little cleaner, which makes you feel better!
As Ursula K. Le Guin, an American novelist, says, "the morning comes whether you set the alarm or not." So, why not make the most of the morning, rather than resenting it.
