Going to a school where people consistently dress to impress, even for their 9 a.m. classes can be tough, especially if you’re a person who likes to sleep as late as humanly possible before getting up for class. One benefit of being someone who likes to roll out of bed at the last second is that I have developed some easy ways to still look somewhat presentable despite my “get up and go” attitude about morning classes. By following one or more of these five easy strategies, you can indulge in the extra sleep that you always want, but can never quite achieve.
1) Shower at night, not in the morning
This is the most crucial aspect of my schedule. If I tell myself that I’ll wake up early to shower and look nice, I will inevitably hit snooze seven times until I no longer have time to shower and sprint into class with greasy hair and unshaved legs, aka looking much worse than if I had simply showered at night like I do 90% of the time. Why anyone would wake up early to do this is beyond me.
2) Plan your outfit and pack your bag before going to bed
There’s nothing worse than being dressed, walking out the door, and realizing that it’s either way warmer, colder, or rainier than you assumed, and having to waste more time to go back and change your outfit. Picking outfits in the morning can also be a stressful and time consuming decision. Therefore, save yourself the trouble and spend five minutes before bed looking at the weather for the next morning, and picking an outfit accordingly.
3) Dresses or Athletic Wear are your new best friends
On that note, if you forget to pick your outfit the night before, dresses or athleisure outfits are always a quick and easy option. Throwing on a dress is a quick and easy way to look cute and put together without having to match a whole outfit together, while leggings and a tank top will keep you comfy all day, look nicer than sweatpants, and potentially even motivate you to go to the gym as a study break!
4) Mascara + messy buns = success!!
A simple and fast way to brighten up your face and look more alive without going through an extensive makeup routine in the morning is to swipe on a coat of black mascara. Longer and thicker lashes make your eyes look more awake and alert. Finding a simple cream foundation that matches your skin tone and is quick to apply can also even out your skin in 60 seconds or less. Finally, messy buns are your new best friends. Whether on the top of your head or the nape of your neck, a quick twisty bun will keep your hair out of your face while still looking like you maybe tried a little bit, even if you did it while sprinting to class.
5) Make your coffee or breakfast in your room and bring it with you on the go
If you’re someone who absolutely needs their morning food and coffee to make it through class and stay awake without your stomach disrupting the lecture, I recommend investing in a keurig or instant coffee that you can make while getting ready and put in a mug to bring with you to class. Eating a granola bar on your walk will also alleviate your hunger until after class, while maybe being healthier than eating a giant breakfast at d hall or Starbucks. Making breakfast in your room and bringing it with you on the go might save you up to half an hour or more in the morning, depending on how far your building is from a food source, and how long it takes you to eat breakfast.
Hopefully by following these tips, you’ll be able to sleep more and stress less in the mornings! The most important thing to remember however, is that rest and your mental/physical health are always more important than looking good for class and sometimes, a girl just needs to wear some sweatpants!!