Throughout my two years here at college, I found that it’s important to get a good start to your day. Unfortunately, more often than not, that includes waking up early. It’s really hard to set the tone for your day while hitting snooze on your alarm 10 times, rushing to throw on clothes, and then running to work or class. I am not saying that’s not good every once in a while, because trust me, I definitely have those mornings too. I’ve tried to make my mornings productive (well, most of the time anyway) here at college, and have compiled a list of ways to help you, too, at least try to be a morning person

1.Set up your alarm clock or phone alarm away from your bed

I have found that if you put your alarm clock or phone in a place where you have to get up to turn it off, once I’m out of bed there is a high chance I won’t get back in. So, try putting the alarm on your desk, or by the door, that way you won’t be tempted to just hit snooze and roll over.

2. Get into a routine

My roommate and I this year have decided to try this, and it really works! If we wake up around the same time each day of the week, we are more awake and energized than sleeping in one day until 6, one until 9, and then one at 8. I now know that Monday- Friday I will be up around the same hour, so I get used to the early mornings pretty quickly.

3. Make sure to eat breakfast

People say that it’s the most important meal of the day, but I would agree. Whenever I skip breakfast, I find myself falling asleep in class, and not focused at all. So I made time for it in my schedule. Yeah, getting up a half hour earlier might seem like a lot, but going to breakfast is actually good for your body and for your soul. My friends and I eat breakfast together, and that makes getting up earlier more enjoyable.

4. Get your things ready the night before

This might sound like something your parents told you in middle school, but I noticed that when I laid out my books and my outfit the night before, my mornings were less hectic. I already knew what I was going to wear, so that literally saves an hour, and then my books are all ready for my classes! All I have to do is wake up, get dressed, and head out the door.

5. When you can, go to bed early

Now I know in college, this is pretty much impossible. We are given so many assignments that sometimes I don’t even know if I will sleep. But recently I have noticed that on the days where I don’t have assignments for the next day, I just spend hours on my phone or watching Netflix. One suggestion would be to go to bed just a little bit earlier on the nights where you aren’t crammed with homework, so that way you can catch up on some sleep.

Overall, I understand that it is so hard to get up, much less act like you are happy to be awake. But, after following these little changes to my routine, I noticed a significant improvement in how I felt and acted. I hope they work for you, too!