I know I am not the only one who tends to lack incentive to do anything other than watch Netflix on days where I have little to no class. As a college student, these days are meant for catching up on homework and preparing for the rest of the week. The irony of the situation is that it feels like the opposite. Luckily, I have come up with some tips that have helped me to stay motivated on these days, which has in turn provided for a more stress-free environment on my busier days.
First, set an alarm for a reasonable time the night before. Pick a time that is still considered sleeping in, yet does not cause you to waste the entire day. As Hannah Montana would say, you get the best of both worlds.
After you wake up, don’t stay in bed for hours on social media. If you really cannot go without checking your phone in the morning, then set your alarm for fifteen minutes early, and then be sure to limit your phone time to these fifteen minutes. Social media is addicting; once you start, you could end up Instagram stalking your lab partner’s twin sister’s boyfriend’s neighbor’s hairdresser, which takes up quite some time.
Once you get out of bed, get ready. Don’t spend your day wearing pajamas. If you wear pajamas, your body will feel like it’s bedtime, and bedtime is not for studying. Therefore, no studying will get done. This will also make you less likely to stay in all day. I don’t know about you, but if I have straight hair and a full face of makeup, I’m going to leave my room and make sure people see it. Thus, once I’m outside, the library is only a quick walk away.
Now you are fully dressed and ready to tackle a productive day. But before you do so, you need some fuel. A healthy breakfast will provide your body with substantial energy, without making you feel bloated or tired. Bloating and fatigue can be distractions, and if we are avoiding one thing today, it is any form of distraction. It also helps to consume some caffeine to help you focus.
While you’re eating your healthy breakfast, make a to-do list. It helps to map out each hour of your day. And because this technically is your day off, reserve a little time for things you normally do not have time to do. These can be treated as rewards for successful days and weeks, and will make the day feel less tiresome, and more like an actual day off.