Until the start of this year, I was not a morning person, but when I returned to university in January after Christmas, I decided this would be the year that I attempted to get my act together.
Many don’t enjoy waking up in the morning, especially for a 2 hour seminar at 9am, but it’s a part of the day that you can either choose to hate all your life or you can learn (read: force yourself) to enjoy. I know people who get up at 5am and manage to fit in a trip to the gym, a Starbucks, and a library session all before their first lecture – that’s certainly not for the faint-hearted!
First things first, the night before can really impact getting ready in the morning. Showering the night before or making sure your bag is packed can save time in the morning. Try to avoid drinking alcohol or caffeine or doing any intense physical exercise before bed. Instead, try doing some yoga or stretching, or have a bath to relax before heading off to bed.
For me, the sound of an alarm is probably the worst noise in the world, but it never fails to get me up. If you don’t wake up straight away, or are a serial snoozer of alarms, then try placing your alarm clock on the other side of the room or use an app which asks you to do tasks before it stops ringing.
Next, onto a shower and a coffee! While I am getting ready, I listen to music to help me feel awake and happy, and drink my coffee on the side. It’s important not to skip breakfast as this will make you feel lethargic, even if you just have something small. Try to have something with protein or carbohydrates in it and, if coffee isn’t for you, have a cup of tea or juice.
So, even if you tick off a shower, coffee, and food on your morning routine list, I’m sure you will feel a lot better and ready for your day!
Good luck!
[Ciara Vernon – she/her]
qmunicatemagazine.com 