Are you a student who wants to start your day right and achieve your goals? Do you struggle with waking up early, staying focused, and being productive? If so, you might benefit from having a morning routine that suits your needs and preferences.
A morning routine is a set of activities that you do every morning to prepare yourself for the day ahead. It can help you boost your mood, energy, and performance, as well as reduce your stress levels. A morning routine can also help you develop good habits, such as eating healthy, exercising, and studying.
But how do you create a morning routine that works for you? There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as different students have different goals, schedules, and personalities. However, there are some general principles and tips that you can follow to design your own morning routine.
Here are some steps to create the best morning routine for students:
1. Write Down Your Goals
Before you start your morning routine, you need to have a clear vision of why you are doing it in the first place. What are your short-term and long-term goals as a student? What do you want to achieve in school and in life? How can a morning routine help you get closer to your dreams?
Writing down your goals can help you stay motivated and focused on your morning routine. It can also help you prioritize your tasks and activities and choose the ones that align with your purpose. For example, if your goal is to improve your grades, you might want to include some study time in your morning routine. If your goal is to be more fit, you might want to include some exercise in your morning routine.
2. Plan the Night Before
Once you have your goals in mind, you can plan your morning routine the night before. This can help you save time and energy in the morning and avoid procrastination and distractions. Planning the night before can also help you sleep better, as you won’t have to worry about what to do in the morning.
Some things that you can do to plan your morning routine the night before are:
- Set your alarm across the room, so that you have to get out of bed to turn it off.
- Leave a glass of water or an EarlyBird shaker cup next to your alarm, so that you can hydrate yourself as soon as you wake up.
- Lay out your clothes for the next day, so that you don’t have to think about what to wear in the morning.
- Prepare your breakfast or pack some snacks, so that you don’t have to waste time cooking or buying food in the morning.
- Make a list of the tasks and activities that you want to do in the morning and estimate how much time each one will take.
3. Wake Up Early
Waking up early is one of the most common habits of successful students and people. Waking up early can give you more time to do things that matter to you, such as studying, exercising, or pursuing a hobby. Waking up early can also make you feel more energized, alert, and positive throughout the day.
However, waking up early is not easy for everyone, especially if you are used to staying up late or sleeping in. If you want to wake up early consistently, you need to make some changes in your lifestyle and mindset. Here are some tips to help you wake up early:
- Go to bed early. Aim for at least seven hours of sleep every night, and avoid caffeine, alcohol, or screens before bedtime.
- Have a consistent sleep schedule. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends or holidays.
- Use an alarm clock that works for you. You can use a traditional alarm clock, a smartphone app, or even a light therapy device that mimics the sunrise.
- Reward yourself for waking up early. You can treat yourself with something that makes you happy or excited, such as listening to music, watching a video, or reading a book.
4. Do Something That Makes You Happy
One of the best ways to start your day is by doing something that makes you happy. This can help you boost your mood, motivation, and creativity. It can also help you reduce stress and anxiety, and cope with challenges better.
Doing something that makes you happy doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. It can be anything that brings you joy or satisfaction, such as:
- Meditating
- Journaling
- Reading
- Writing
- Drawing
- Singing
- Dancing
- Playing
- Praying
- Gratitude
Choose something that suits your personality and interests and do it for at least 10 minutes every morning.
5. Eat A Healthy Breakfast and Pack Snacks
Eating a healthy breakfast is essential for students who want to perform well in school and in life. A healthy breakfast can provide you with the nutrients, energy, and brain power that you need to learn, remember, and focus. A healthy breakfast can also help you control your appetite, weight, and mood.
Some examples of healthy breakfast foods are:
- Eggs
- Oatmeal
- Yogurt
- Fruits
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Whole-grain bread
- Cheese
- Milk
Try to avoid foods that are high in sugar, fat, or salt, such as:
- Cereal
- Pastries
- Donuts
- Muffins
- Bacon
- Sausage
- Soda
- Juice
In addition to eating a healthy breakfast, you should also pack some snacks that you can eat throughout the day. Snacks can help you prevent hunger, cravings, and energy dips. Snacks can also help you boost your concentration, memory, and mood.
Some examples of healthy snacks are:
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Dried fruits
- Granola bars
- Trail mix
- Popcorn
- Carrots
- Celery
- Hummus
Try to avoid snacks that are high in sugar, fat, or salt, such as:
- Chips
- Cookies
- Candy
- Chocolate
- Ice cream
6. Take Time To Exercise
Exercise is another important component of a morning routine for students. Exercise can help you improve your physical, mental, and emotional health. Exercise can also help you enhance your academic performance, as it can improve your brain function, memory, attention, and mood.
Exercise doesn’t have to be boring or hard. You can choose any type of exercise that you enjoy and that fits your fitness level, such as:
- Walking
- Jogging
- Running
- Biking
- Swimming
- Yoga
- Pilates
- Aerobics
- Strength training
You don’t have to exercise for a long time to get the benefits. Even 10 minutes of moderate exercise can make a difference. However, if you want to see more results, you should aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise every day.
7. Set Up To 5 Daily Goals in Your Planner
The last step of your morning routine is to set up to five daily goals in your planner. These goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound. These goals should also align with your long-term goals and priorities.
Setting daily goals can help you stay focused, organized, and productive throughout the day. It can also help you track your progress and celebrate your achievements.
Some examples of daily goals for students are:
- Finish reading chapter 5 of the textbook by 10 a.m.
- Write the introduction of the essay by 12 p.m.
- Study for the math test for one hour by 3 p.m.
- Do 20 push-ups by 5 p.m.
- Call mom by 7 p.m.
You can use Our Super Student Study Planner to write down your daily goals. You should also review your daily goals at the end of the day and check off the ones that you completed.
Conclusion
Having a morning routine can be a game-changer for students who want to succeed in school and in life. A morning routine can help you wake up early, feel happy, eat healthy, exercise, and set goals. A morning routine can also help you develop good habits that will serve you well in the future.
However, having a morning routine is not enough. You also need to stick to it consistently and make it a part of your lifestyle. To do that, you need to have a clear vision of your purpose, plan ahead, and reward yourself.
If you follow these steps and tips, you will be able to create the best morning routine for students that works for you.
References:
1: The 25 Best Daily Routines for Students | Conquer Your Exam 2: 7 Productive Morning Routines to Have for Students - Stunning Motivation 3: Best Morning Routine for Students (2021) - Club EarlyBird 4: 39 Morning People Share Their Extremely Productive Morning Routines - SELF