Waking up early is a great way to start your day. You have more time to tackle your to-do list, be productive, relax and recharge, and maybe even watch the sunrise– my personal favorite.
And for students, waking up early is often mandatory. Classes can start super early in the morning, and I sometimes found myself struggling (really badly) to get up.
In this post, I’ll teach you how I managed to overcome the pain of waking up early. There are a few habits I built and some tricks I use, and I hope they’ll be helpful for you, as well! Let’s get straight into it.
Have A “Why?”
Having a sense of purpose behind waking up early can motivate you and make it easier (on your mind) to wake up early. It can help you start your day with a positive attitude and direction, which is a great way to ensure a good rest of the day.
So determined a “why?” behind waking up early– other than being forced to for school. It could be because you want to take the time to take care of yourself in the morning, to have some alone time and get ready for the day, or something else.
Once you’ve decided upon your purpose, keep that in mind! You can even write it on a sticky note and stick it above your bed, or write it in a journal. I’ve always loved collecting short and inspirational quotes to motivate myself during the day.
Plan The Next Morning
Planning ahead is something I’ll never stop talking about; planning the next morning– whether you’re time-blocking, writing a to-do list, or following a routine– can create a sense of purpose and urgency, which will get you through the morning more efficiently.
I usually follow a morning routine that includes washing up, making breakfast, cleaning the room, journaling or relaxing for a while, and then getting to work. If you don’t yet have a morning routine, build one now!
If you’d rather not follow a routine and create a to-do list instead, be sure to do so the night before! And if you want to go the extra mile, time-block your morning on your calendar or planner.
YOU’LL LOVE THIS POST: 10 Brilliant Habits To Organize Your Entire Life
Set Multiple Alarms
If you struggle physically to wake up in the morning, try setting multiple alarms. There are 2 approaches you can try:
- Setting 2 alarms
- Setting alarms by interval
The first method is for people who wake up but struggle to get up. In this case, set 1 alarm for waking up and another for getting up (around 5 minutes after the first one). Once you hear the second alarm go off, that’s your cue to get up and face the day.
But if you’re one to sleep through an alarm or fall asleep right after hitting snooze, try the second method instead. Set multiple alarms (as many as you need) by 5-minute intervals, making sure the first one sounds early enough so that you won’t be late.
Of course, the most effective method is to not hit snooze. Once your alarm goes off, let your mind wake up, then get off your bed. It’s okay to not instantly start doing things, but it’s always best to wake up as soon as the first alarm goes off.
Do Something You Enjoy
Instead of sulking about having to wake up early, do something you enjoy to feel happy and thankful that you woke up early. Gratitude and happiness are good for your soul and can ensure a good rest of the day as well.
If you’re not sure how exactly you should start your day, here are some ideas:
- Listen to your favorite song.
- Listen to a motivational podcast.
- Watch the sunrise.
- Call a friend or family member.
- Watch an episode of your favorite show.
- Make your favorite breakfast.
- Take a walk.
- Walk your pet.
- Stretch/meditate/dance/exercise.
You can find more ideas at this post: 75 Morning Routine Ideas That Will Change Your Life.
Go To Sleep Earlier
The most obvious and simple (yet difficult) way to wake up earlier is to go to sleep earlier. Many students struggle with this, but in truth, it will solve so many of your problems.
A common cause of sleeping late is procrastination. You wait until the latest possible moment to complete your homework or other tasks, and by the time you finish, it’s already late.
Knowing this common problem, I’ve written a complete guide on beating procrastination: How To Stop Procrastinating. Be sure to check it out for all the top tips to stop procrastinating!
If you believe that procrastination is not the cause of sleeping late (which is 100% justifiable), here are some extra tips for you:
- Do not go on social media starting at least 2 hours before you sleep.
- Begin your night routine early.
- Dim the lights and make the room smell nice.
- Read in bed instead of going on your phone.
- Play soft music or ambient sounds.
- Meditate while laying down in bed.
Have A Positive Mindset
Keeping a positive attitude and a healthy mindset can greatly increase your motivation and thus prevent procrastination and help you get up easier.
It can be hard to build a positive mindset, but always think back to your “why?”. Remember and remind yourself that each day is a new day, and you’re able to tackle everything.
If it’s difficult for you to implement this, simply think of something you’re looking forward to doing this morning. I often think of the breakfast I always make (I absolutely adore bagels) and remind myself that as soon as I wake up, I can make some delicious breakfast.
Find something that makes you happy and use that to motivate yourself and build a positive mindset.
Sleep In Sometimes
It is totally okay to sleep in sometimes. Especially if you’ve had a long week or are feeling sleep-deprived, a late morning can be just what you need.
However, I don’t recommend sleeping past 12pm, as you’ll be skipping multiple meals and likely messing up your Circadian rhythm (essentially getting jet-lagged). Simply sleep until your body is well-rested, and get up and get moving.
Conclusion
I hope these tips will help you successfully get up earlier! Leave a comment with what you struggle with most during the mornings, and I’ll try to give you my best tips!
If you’re looking to read more from my blog, check out these posts:
- Ultimate 5 Day Guide To Become Insanely Productive
- 8 Daily Habits To Build To Become A Top Student
- Complete Organization System For Online Students
