Who enjoys getting up early every morning? Very few people are actually “early birds” by nature. However, as an adult student you not only need to keep up with your class work, but you have other adult responsibilities like a job and family to attend to also.
To achieve more during your day, you may not only need to get up early, but you will need to make the most of these early morning hours. We’ve collected some tried and true advice that will help you create a morning ritual and start your day off in a positive, productive way - without all the grogginess.
Don't hit snooze
When your alarm starts beeping, buzzing or chirping, the first thing that comes to mind is to make it stop. While it may feel good in the moment to hit snooze, it can be less-than-ideal in the long run. Those short snoozes between alarms may disrupt your circadian rhythm and decrease sleep quality. Strive for 7 or 9 hours of sleep (the recommended amount by the National Sleep Foundation) and get up the first time the alarm sounds. Placing your alarm out of arm's’ reach, where you have to get out of bed to turn it off, is one of the best ways to break this habit.
Get moving
Exercise is excellent for your overall health. However, moving around right after you wake up has additional benefits. Early morning exercise can boost your metabolism and cognitive function. In addition, when you exercise first thing in the morning, you’ll be less likely to find a reason to skip your gym time.
Related article: Become a Master of Time Management
Set aside your phone
When you wake up, it only stands to reason that you want to check your phone. After all, a lot can happen in 7 to 8 hours! However, it is very easy to get stuck checking one more email or finding out what your friends, family or EHL have posted on Facebook or Instagram. An early morning browsing session can cost you a lot of time. Save phone time for later in the day when you have some free time.
Consistency matters
>While everyone deserves to sleep late once in a while, changing your sleep habits every weekend makes for a more challenging Monday morning. According to sleep.org, the more consistent your routine is, the easier it will be to keep at it day after day and week after week.
Motivate with passion
When you have something to look forward to each day, it will be easier to get out of bed. If you like cooking, why not wake up early to make a gourmet breakfast. If you are an artist, build some time in your morning to harness your creative energy. By having something you’re passionate about to look forward to, you’ll find waking up is a joy - not a challenge.
As you can see, creating a morning routine can be a tremendous asset for any student. Even if you haven’t begun classes yet, getting a routine in order is one of the best things you can do to prepare yourself.
