How To Be A Morning Person

Written by: Sarah Dioneda

“Morning is an important time of day, because how you spend your morning can often tell you what kind of day you are going to have.” -Lemony Snicket

We all know that school starts too early, especially for high schoolers. It’s even scientifically proven; as the internal clock for teenagers shifts, the harder it is for them to get up. Although we can’t change the time school starts, we can give you some tips on how to enjoy mornings a little bit more, or at least not completely hate it.

1. Do what you can at night.

A huge problem that many students encounter in the mornings is the fact that we are always rushing. Between remembering to grab gym clothes, your History project, that essay that was printed last night, etc... by doing this, you end up having no time for breakfast, to make your bed, and as you are already halfway to the school, the realization that you forgot to grab your sports uniform out of the dryer hits you. If this sounds remotely close to you, then obviously you’re not alone.

This habit is overwhelming and stressful, and that is no way to start a morning. Instead, try preparing everything at night. Put your gym clothes, uniform, essay, (or whatever you need for the next day) into your bag. Leave your project next to it so you can remember to grab it.

Also, if you can, do all of your homework at night. If you count on finishing that Bio project at five in the morning, you’re risking the fact you may or may not wake up on time. Mornings should be used as a tool to make your day good. Focus on the simple, calming things, like eating breakfast or making your bed.

2. Try sleeping earlier.

I know; it’s easier said than done. Except, the only way you can truly start to become a morning person is if you get a full rest at night. If you’re overwhelmed and stressed with your work, prioritizing it and eliminating procrastination from your routine can really help you get to bed early. Click here to read an article that gives some tips on how to stop procrastinating

3. Your alarm will make or break you.

Your alarm is what wakes you up every single school day. You don’t want loud, annoying beeps and siren sounds as the first thing you hear in the morning. Try changing your alarm to music you like, preferably something calmer so you’re not too tense first thing when you wake up.

Another helpful tip is to put your alarm far away from you across the room. That way, you’re eventually forced to get up to turn it  off. I put my alarms to classical music, and I let it play for a while, as I adjust and stretch before I get out of bed. It’s a calm and relaxing way to start the day in the morning.

Bonus tip: How to use your alarm to wake up earlier. If you’re used to waking up at 6:30, and need to start waking up at around 5:45, try to gradually make your alarm earlier each day (maybe each week if you need to) until it reaches 5:45. For example, on Monday, set your alarm for 6:15, then on Tuesday, 6:00, and then Wednesday, 5:45. You can make these intervals shorter and the periods of adjustment longer if need be.

4. The snooze button is your enemy.

You’ve probably heard this advice before. Pressing snooze is a bad habit, and it will just leave you craving more sleep. Think of it this way: by snoozing, you’re tricking your mind into thinking you’re going back to sleep, and that will just make you tired even more. Instead, try disabling the snooze button or ignoring it. It will be hard to adjust at first, but in the end, it’s going to help you.

5. Breakfast is your friend, not a chore.

Eating in the morning gives you energy to start your day. Although that is a relatively known fact, many people don’t follow it. I know a lot of people who skip breakfast, solely because they have no time or they don’t like breakfast foods. If you have no time, see above. If you don’t like breakfast foods, then eat something you like. Your body doesn’t care that the food you put in your body is normally designated for dinner; your body needs fuel, so give it some. Breakfast, for me, is a great incentive to get out of bed. It’s something that I can look forward to and know I will enjoy. Start the day right, and eat your breakfast.

School is hard already as it is. Your mornings don’t have to be, too.