I used to be one of those college students who dreaded early morning classes. As soon as my alarm went off, I’d hit snooze💤- multiple times – and then frantically scramble to get ready.
I’d be dressed before I was fully awake, stuffing my bookbag with whatever I could find and speed walking to class. I’d arrive at the lecture hall – a zombie from lack of sleep – hoping to summon enough energy to make it through the lecture.
I suffered through this routine for an entire semester, and let me tell you – it was no fun. I’d make it through early morning classes only to find myself struggling through the rest of the day. I was constantly exhausted, and my test scores were reflecting it.
Eventually, I realized that early morning classes didn’t have to be so miserable. Instead of spending the entire semester in a zombie-like state, I decided to make the most of early morning classes.
I started making a few changes – small ones at first. Like setting my alarm for earlier and drinking a gallon of coffee as soon as I woke up.
As I got more comfortable with early classes, I started taking bigger steps to make early morning classes more bearable. I’d lay out my clothes for the next day before going to bed and start packing a snack so that I wouldn’t be too hungry in class. I even started getting up early enough to go for a jog before class, which really helped me wake up and stay alert.
Now, early morning classes are no longer a dreaded experience for me. They’re actually one of my favorite parts of the day! I’ve learned so many tips and tricks to make early morning classes bearable. And I can’t wait to share them with you.
So if early morning classes are in your future, don’t worry. I’ve got you covered with the most amazing tips to make early morning college classes bearable. And *I dare say🦄* they can be so much fun!
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10 Strategies To Help You Survive Early Morning College Classes Bearable (Or Maybe Even Enjoyable!)
Early morning classes can be a killer, but don’t let them get you down! Whether early morning classes have been part of your college experience for years or it’s something you’re just starting – these ten strategies will help you make the most of early morning classes and survive… or maybe even enjoy them😄!
1. Prep the night before so you’re not rushing around in the morning
Lay out your clothes, and pack snacks and textbooks. Make sure your laptop is charged up, and gather all of your notes and readings for the class (especially if you’re going to need them early in the morning!). Do anything else you need to do for class the night before.
It may sound like a lot but you’ll be thanking yourself in the early morning when you don’t have to scramble for all of your stuff.
Plus, there’s nothing like the sense of accomplishment that comes with being super organized! And if it helps make early mornings more bearable? Even better.
2. The key is to get organized
Make sure you have all your course materials ready the night before. So that you don’t have to waste any early morning minutes searching for them.
Get creative by color-coding your folders or setting up a system for keeping track of your notes and readings. That way, you’ll be totally ready to go when early morning classes start – no extra stress needed!
Related: How to stay Organized in College: 9 Tips to Help You Conquer the College Chaos
3. Get enough sleep: early morning college classes
This one is a no-brainer, but it’s always worth mentioning. Make sure you get enough sleep the night before early classes!
Try to aim for 7-9 hours of shut-eye. And if that means saying “no” to late-night activities with friends, then so be it. After all, early morning college classes are no joke. You’ll need to be well-rested if you want to make it through the day.
Plus, there’s nothing worse than an early morning class when your brain is still foggy from lack of sleep!
4. Get an early start to your day
Try setting your alarm 15 or 20 minutes earlier than you would normally get up to give yourself a few extra minutes to get ready.
This can make early mornings much less stressful – plus, you’ll have plenty of time for that extra cup of coffee or to give yourself a pep-talk about how early morning classes aren’t so bad after all.
And if you’re feeling extra daring, why not take a quick jog around the block or even do some early morning yoga to help wake up and get your day started off on the right foot!
5. Set your alarm to a song that gets you pumped up
Like an early morning dance party! 🎼🎵🎶
Pick something upbeat and fun, like Michael Jackson’s “They don’t really care about us” or Katy Perry’s “Hear me Roar“.
Alternatively, choose something more mellow but still motivating, like Norah Jones’s “Don’t Know Why” or Maroon 5’s “Makes Me Wonder”. Whichever type of early morning music you choose, it will be sure to help get your energy levels up and get you ready to tackle early morning classes!
6. Gulp down some water: early morning college classes
Drinking a glass of water when you wake up may sound like a small task, but it can be an incredibly powerful way to help jump-start your early morning. Make sure to keep a glass of water ready on your nightstand so you don’t have to fumble around for it when your early morning alarm goes off.
And if you need a little extra motivation to gulp down that glass of water, why not make it fun? Try adding a little bit of lemon juice or cucumber slices – it’s like having a mini spa experience in the early morning!
7. Get some fresh air to refresh your mind
Nothing helps early morning fatigue like a breath of fresh air!
If you can, take a few minutes to go outside and get a quick walk or jog in. You don’t have to do anything strenuous – just a stroll around the block or even a few minutes of fresh air at the window in your dorm can help wake you up and give you a much-needed boost of energy.
8. Coffee is your friend
If you’re a coffee drinker, early morning classes are the perfect excuse to indulge in a cup☕ (or two!) of your favorite caffeinated beverage!
Take advantage of the peacefulness that usually comes with mornings – it’s the perfect time to curl up with a warm mug and brainstorm ideas for that upcoming project or paper. Plus, drinking coffee can help you stay alert and energized and make early classes much more bearable.
And if that’s not convincing enough – coffee has also been found to improve memory, which can come in handy when it comes to early classes!
Just remember not to overdo it – too much caffeine will leave you feeling jittery and overwhelmed. So make sure to drink your coffee in moderation for early classes. And if you’re really looking for an extra kick, why not try a cup of matcha or some yerba mate for an early morning pick-me-up.
9. Eat breakfast: Even if it’s something small like a yogurt or an apple!
Your brain needs fuel to be able to function and retain information, so make sure you have a good breakfast before early classes – even if it’s as simple as a handful of nuts, some yogurt, or an apple🍎.
If you have time, try having something more substantial like oatmeal or a smoothie. And if you’re in a rush or find yourself running late, grab something quick and easy – like a breakfast bar or even a cup of coffee with a muffin.
Eating breakfast will help keep your energy levels up and ensure that early morning classes don’t drag you down!
Plus, you don’t have to settle for a boring breakfast – why not get creative? Overnight oats with berries, or even avocado toast – early morning classes are the perfect excuse to treat yourself to a delicious breakfast!
10. Try to fit in 5 minutes to write in a journal
If early morning classes have you feeling like your head’s in a fog, try taking five minutes to do some early morning journaling!
Grab a pen and your favorite notebook – it’s the perfect way to start off your day on a positive note. Give yourself time to reflect on the upcoming day’s challenges, write down your goals for the day, or even just jot down some funny early-morning musings.
It can help give you that extra dose of clarity and focus before early classes – plus, it’s the perfect way to unleash your early morning creativity!
Related: How a 5-Minute Journaling Routine Can Help College Students
11. Have a concrete schedule: early morning college classes
Preparing for early morning classes doesn’t have to be a daunting task. The key is to stay organized and come up with a plan so you can make early mornings as stress-free as possible.
Create a schedule that outlines when you’ll study, when you’ll do your homework, and even when you’ll go to bed early. Make sure to designate a specific amount of time for each task, and don’t forget to schedule some downtime – early morning classes can be a lot to handle and it’s important to take care of yourself.
Early morning classes can be challenging. But with the right attitude and a bit of preparation, you can make early mornings more bearable. And even an enjoyable part of your day! 🦄😄🎵
Get creative and come up with strategies that work best for you. Take a few minutes to enjoy the sunrise🌅, blast your favorite music while getting ready, or even treat yourself to a special early morning breakfast.
And don’t forget to give yourself some grace. Early mornings can be hard, so make sure to be kind and forgiving when things don’t go as planned. With a little organization, early morning classes can become a breeze. So get out there and own those early morning college classes like a pro!
“Early morning classes may not always be the highlight of our day, but they don’t have to be daunting either – just add a little bit of planning and you’ll be off to an amazing day!”
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