Having trouble getting out of bed in the morning? Are you always snoozing until the last possible minute? Are you often late to class? Do you wish you could wake up earlier?
If you answered, “yes” to one or all of these questions, you are probably not a morning person. Most college students aren’t. Getting into the habit of waking up earlier can be tough, especially in college. However, there are a few things you can do to make these early mornings a little bit easier.
Don’t hit snooze
If you’re like most people, you probably hit snooze a time or two before actually rolling out of bed in the morning. Don’t do this! Instead of thinking about how much more time you can keep sleeping without being late to class, just get up. Don’t give yourself the option to snooze. If you need to, set your alarm for the latest possible time. That way you won’t even have to think twice about hitting snooze.
Wake up at the same time every morning
It’s tough at first, but if you start waking up at the same early time each morning it will eventually become a habit. Your body will get into a routine and re-set its natural clock, making waking up a 8 a.m. every day a habit and not such a burden.
Go to bed earlier
Obviously you will not be able to wake up earlier if you do not go to bed at an early hour. Plan to give yourself at least seven to eight hours of sleep each night. If you know you have to wake up at 8 in the morning, don’t go to bed at 4 a.m. It will obviously be more difficult to wake up than if you went to bed by midnight. If you keep up with it, this too will eventually become a habit. If you wake up earlier each morning you will also be tired earlier, making it easier to fall asleep.
Keep a glass of water by the bed
Before you go to bed, fill up a big glass of water and keep it by your bed. When your alarm goes off, reach over and chug the glass of water. You will instantly feel energized. Not only will this help to wake up brain cells, but studies have also shown that drinking water right away in the morning can help you lose weight by jump starting your metabolism.
Have a reason to get up
Plan your day accordingly so that you have something productive to do in the morning. If you have a reason to wake up and get out of bed, you’re more likely to avoid hitting the snooze button. For some ideas on some things to motivate you in the morning, check out these reasons to wake up early.
Organize yourself the night before
If you are waking up early because you have something to do in the morning, have yourself organized before you go to bed. If you are going to the gym, lay out your gym clothes. If you have class, get all your books and materials together. The more you have done beforehand, the less you will have to do early in the morning.