With school back in full-swing and in-person classes back in session, BYU–Hawaii students said they are rearranging their schedules and adjusting to new morning routines. Alyssa Wilson, a sophomore from Oregon studying intercultural peace building, said she thinks some students may need to recalculate their morning routines to ensure they run efficiently.
Here are some tips to help the semester run as smoothly as possible.
1. Put your to-do list in your agenda before you go to sleep
An article by the New York Times emphasizes planning the day can result in less stress the morning of classes because your morning can be about well-being instead of schoolwork. Being prepared also invites peace of mind, which means you will be able to rest easily at night, the article says.
According to the New York Times, planning the day is critical for creating a productive and well-rounded life. Alexandra E. Petri, a writer for the New York Times, says staying organized is a personal choice and can be specific to your needs.
She writes, “If you’re the type of person who prefers pen and paper, consider a small notebook or diary to carry around with you to detail daily goals. For those who prefer going digital, Google calendars, Asana boards or self-care apps can help you visualize the routine you want to develop and stay organized as you get into the swing of it.”
Petri adds besides using an agenda, setting reminders on your phone by logging important events and assignments into your calendar are good ways to stay organized.
2. Make your bed in the morning
Pauline Morrissey, a writer from Domain, explained making your bed every day can help increase your feelings of accomplishment and set the tone for a better day by motivating you to keep accomplishing other tasks.
According to an article published on Very Well Mind, on average, 70 percent of Americans make their bed every day to help improve emotional regulation and stay organized throughout their day.
3. Avoid your phone until you are ready for the day
An article in Huffington Post states avoiding time on your phone during your morning routine can allow you to be present with yourself, mentally prepare for your day and save you time.
According to the article, staying off your phone during your morning routine can help you relieve stress and start your day on a fresh page. The article explains, “Checking your smartphone first thing in the morning will do several things: make you more stressed out and overwhelmed, make it more difficult for you to prioritize tasks and make you feel already behind in your day.”
Author Chloe Tejada writes instead of worrying about the work emails waiting for a reply, or the articles to be read or comparing yourself to others, use the morning to focus on your own basic needs first.
4. Stop complaining
In an article from Pro Study Guides, Abida Munir says complaining seems like the easiest thing to do because it’s easier than waking up to work. “You think this may help you. Yes, complaining does help you in that particular moment. But in the long run, you will regret it.”
Psychology Today explains complaining can cause you to remove yourself from responsibility and exhilarate playing the victim by making up excuses. “When a work colleague is unwilling to complete a task, notice how the person will start to complain about it. It is a delay tactic that weakens the person’s position without him or her even realizing it.”
5. Set up a morning ritual
Psychology Today suggests creating habits is crucial for creating a morning routine that will stick. Pick one or two rituals you can incorporate into your daily routine and practice them daily.
Some habits to develop include:
- Read a few pages of your favorite book
- Read your scriptures
- Pray
- Take your vitamins
- Go for a morning walk
- Do yoga
- Meditate
6. Get up early and at the same time everyday
This allows your body to get into the habit of waking up on time and guarantees a good night’s sleep by regulating your sleep schedule.
An article by CBC states waking up at the same time everyday can help improve your body’s internal clock. The article continues, “Our bodies are biological clocks with the succession of a circadian rhythm. Circadian rhythms are the cycles in the body that fluctuate over a 24-hour period. In an acknowledgment of its importance, a Nobel Prize was recently granted for research on circadian biology and its implications for our health and wellbeing.”