After a long four-month summer, getting back into school mode can be a struggle for basically anyone. Personally, I got so into the lazy routine of waking up late, relaxing on the beach, working short shifts, and having so much “me-time” that coming back to school hasn’t been the easiest. Waking up early, going to class, staying fit, spending time with friends and staying out late on the weekends has been a total 360 for me. Here are some tips I have for making the adjustment process a little bit easier.
Force yourself to wake up early every day.
Even if you don’t have early classes, setting an alarm for 8:30 a.m. or 9 a.m. is a great way to force yourself into being productive. If I wake up any time past 10:00 a.m., I find myself being sluggish and not capable of getting enough done. Waking up at the same time every day helps your body get into a cycle; before you know it, you’ll be able to wake up without an alarm. An early start puts you in a productive mentality from the second you get out of bed. Try it!! You won’t regret it.
Make your bed.
Speaking of getting out of bed, try to make your bed right after you get up. Coming home to a made bed can help to keep you from getting in it, and it will also keeps your room looking clean and organized. It might seem like a nuisance, but I promise it makes all the difference.
Get ahead on your work.
Don’t put off studying just because classes are starting out slow and nothing is due right away; try to get an early start so that you don’t get stressed once the work load picks up—just doing a little every day can make all the difference! Making friends in each of your classes is also helpful, since you’ll have someone to reach out to for notes or for help if you do fall behind.
Prioritize your time during the week.
Catch up on sleep during the week so that you’re not completely dead after the weekend when you get negative hours of rest. It’s also helpful to get your homework done during the week so it’s not hanging over your head on Friday and Saturday. If I go into the weekend feeling energized and knowing I’m in a good place with my classes, I have so much more fun and can enjoy myself.
Use Sunday as your “me-time” day.
Use your Sunday to relax. Do whatever you need to prep for the long week ahead, whether it’s cleaning your room, doing a facemask, or just watching Netflix. After a long of week of classes and a crazy weekend, give your body time to kick back and recoup. Taking time for your mental health can make a huge difference.
Start the year off with a good gym routine.
If you start the year by making an effort to go to the gym a few times a week, you will be more motivated to keep it up throughout the year. Don’t think of it as something you can choose to do; think of it as another part of your day that you have to do, whether you want to or not. You will feel so much better after going to the gym (or getting any form of exercise in).
Take the time in the morning to look your best
Being confident about how you look and feel can help with productivity. Wearing sweats to class may be tempting, but if you put a little effort in, you will have more motivation to get tasks done. Additionally, if you find it hard to get yourself to the gym, wear your gym clothes to class so that way you can go straight from class instead of going back to your dorm; I know from personal experience that if I go home after class, there’s no way I’m leaving my room to go to the gym.