Getting up with the rising sun doesn't seem hard until you have to put it into practice. You might have made the mistake of taking History of the English Language at eight in the morning, but that doesn't mean you have to make the mistake of not going to class at all. Here are a few tips to make your transition into the waking world just a little easier.

1. Actually get up when your alarm goes off

Hitting snooze is tempting, but when you go back to sleep, you're confusing your body. This confusion can result in grogginess that lasts all day. Not to mention it can make you late for class! Try setting your alarm to the time that you actually get up. This might be 15 minutes before class starts, or 45. Just don't hit that button when it goes off.

2. Wake up at the same time every day

The deliciousness of sleeping in on weekends isn't a sustainable habit. Nothing beats a solid sleep schedule for helping you get up and feel ready to take on the world even though the sun hasn't risen yet. Get up at the same time every day, and your body will adjust to waking up early much better than if you let yourself indulge in sleep too much on the weekend.

3. Eat breakfast!

Remember that you haven't eaten anything for the past eight hours (unless you took a late night trip to McDonalds), and your body needs fuel whether you feel hungry or not. Breakfast is not only important for the metabolism, but because the nutrients it provides will help you not nod off in the middle of your morning class. If you don't have time to head to the cafeteria and scarf down some biscuits and gravy, grab a banana or a handful of almonds.

4. Do some jumping jacks

Get your blood pumping in the morning with some exercise! Some people like to do a whole workout in the morning, but if you have an 8:00 a.m. class, that can seem less than appealing. You don't have to do much to get yourself awake. Just a few simple exercises will do the job to keep your eyelids from drooping.

5. Stop at the coffee shop

Peru State College has a cute little coffee shop in the library. The Bobcat Den has a variety of caffeinated beverages, and even has a few breakfast options for students on the run. Caffeine is not a permanent fix for waking up and getting to class on time, but it can help with drowsiness after a long night of studying.