Sunday is that thin blue line between the relaxation of the weekend and the hectic beginning of a brand new week! Most people spend Sunday laying in bed, watching Netflix and dreading that Monday morning alarm! But you are different! You are going to take Sunday by the horns and use it as a springboard into the week instead of a stumbling block!
1. Clean out your backpack!
Throughout the week, your backpack is going to accumulate a lot of junk. Bubble gum wrappers, old pens, and even that container you took your leftover spaghetti in will be weighing down your already heavy load. Take Sunday to throw all of that away, pack up your books for the next day, and make sure that you have a fresh supply of pens and pencils!
2. Go grocery shopping and do some meal prep!
The best way to make sure you are going to have a great week is to fuel your body with some heathy energy. Take Sunday afternoon to make a grocery list and go shopping. Stock up on healthy fruits and vegetables that you can take as snacks during those long days on campus. This will keep your from getting "hangry" while also giving you that extra energy to get through your night class. Also, use the “freezer bag” method to prep meals that can be taken out of the freezer and thrown into the crockpot or the oven; no meal prep needed! Look for some great freezer meals here.
3. Get your room/closet back in order!
If you are anything like me, you don’t have time during the week to worry about doing laundry or picking up that book that has been laying on the floor since Monday. Sunday is a great time to take a look at your room, evaluate the damage and then attack. Start off by doing some laundry and getting all your clothes back where you want (or need) them to be! Then strip your sheets and either put on a fresh set or wash the ones you always use. Warm sheets and a clean bed are the best way to get to sleep quicker and get those eight full hours of sleep before Monday comes around. Finally, pick up any odds and ends that might just be lying around and making your room (or life) seem more cluttered than it actually is.
4. Take out your trash!
This one is pretty self explanatory, but it’s worth mentioning. A week’s worth of trash may not seem like a lot, but it can pile up. Make sure you clear out all the trash cans, even the one in the bathroom, and take them out to the dumpster Sunday night or prepare them for pick-up day. Never wake up on Monday morning and struggle to shove that empty yogurt container into an overflowing (and very ripe smelling) trashcan.
5. Get some fresh air!
The best thing you can do on Sunday is turn off the TV, power down all the electronics and get outside! Sunday is a day of rest…so rest! I don’t care if you go on a run or take that book you’ve been meaning to read to the park; just do something! Sitting inside on a beautiful day is the worst! Plan ahead, knock out your chores (or save them for after dark) and enjoy the sunshine! Pro tip: Look for a local park or hiking trail and go for an amazing walk. Go alone if you want to think or take some friends along for a fun (and free) day out!
6. Fine leather goods. Treat yourself!
If you find yourself with a rainy Sunday and going outside isn’t an option, then treat yo’self! Catch up on some Netflix or order a pizza from that places you’ve always wanted to try! If you are happy when you go to bed on Sunday, then chances are you are going to be happy when you wake up on Monday! Make Sunday a day for you! And whether that’s going to church, taking a trip to TJ Maxx, or both, you do you, boo!
7. Prepare some Monday motivation.
Almost everyday, my fraternity’s chapter counselor sends out a “Thought for the day” email to everyone in my chapter. It’s just a quick e-mail with either an inspiring quote or an uplifting story. Find your thought for the day that is going to get you through the week! Make yourself some Post-It Note quotes for your planner or download and app like +Quotes; just keep something around to lift you up when you are feeling down! Here’s a start: From Lao Tzu, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with just one step.”
8. Make a weekly goal list and Monday To-Do list!
Preparing for Monday is like preparing for battle. You have to do everything you can in order to have the upper hand! Start off by making a list of everything you want to accomplish during the week. This can be anything from working out everyday to finishing that Psychology paper before Friday. Map out your week so that you know what you need to do and when you need to get it done by! Then, make a list specifically for Monday. The second day of the week and first day of the work week sneaks up on people and brings them to their knees. Knock Monday back down by knowing what you need to do and then powering through like the boss you are!
9. Make sure you have a little time just for you.
Being organized and getting stuff done on Sunday is great, but you also need a couple of hours dedicated solely to the star of the show: You! Get up early, knock out the boring stuff, and leave the rest of the day up to yourself! Take a bath, listen to some music, or do something you love like writing or painting; make the end of the day all about you! If you don’t want to do the same old thing, then try something new! Look up some videos on yoga and mediating to get yourself relaxed and mindful before bed. Check out some great tips for beginners here!
10. Know when to wind down for the night!
Some people are always shocked when they have trouble going to sleep. Most people don’t realize that sleep doesn’t happen just because your head hits the people. If you want to be in bed by 11:30 p.m., you can’t turn down the covers at 11:28. Give yourself plenty of time to wind down from the day and relax. Eat early, turn off all your electronics about an hour before you go to bed, and read or do yoga. Your mind has to be at rest before your body can get there! If you want some great tips on getting a great night’s sleep, check out these nifty sleeping charts!
