I am only a couple weeks into school but I, like many others, am exhausted, overwhelmed and undeniably stressed. Balancing the university life with extra curriculars such as volunteering, home life and jobs can lead to mismanaged schedules and cluttered minds. Since it is my second year of university, whilst managing two degrees, I have learned a few tips to help me become more efficient and motivated. I am here to share some strategies that start my day off the best in terms of mindset and energy.
1. Setting an alarm
Though it might seem obvious and extraneous, the importance of setting an alarm can make an unbelievable difference in the morning. From personal experience, I can speak to the fact that placing an alarm away from my bed forces me to get up, stretch and eliminate any drowsiness and laziness from my mind and body. Incorporating this simple step into my morning routine helped me become more proactive and manage my day better.
2. Making your bed
Accomplishing one small task in the morning can give you a positive and clear mindset going into the rest of the day. Every time I look at my made bed I feel a bit more relaxed and put together, and it gives me the motivation to complete another goal. I have also noticed that making my bed improves my mood and sets me up for productivity and positivity throughout the day. Arguably, this also prevents me from crawling back into bed and napping!
3. Breakfast
Personally, I prefer to start my mornings off with at least two glasses of water, but many people I know choose coffee or tea. It is important and exciting to try different things and find what works best for you! I absolutely recommend eating a healthy and nutritious breakfast, because I know as a university student it is difficult to stop binge eating throughout the day. Some of my favourite breakfast foods include scrambled eggs, smoothie bowls, yogurt with berries or banana pancakes!
4. To-do list
Mornings can be dreadfully chaotic, and I have learned that taking a few extra minutes at night to prepare a to-do list can go a long way to minimizing morning stress. Every morning I like to review my to-do list and allocate some time to each task around my lecture times. Along with this, I like to flip through my weekly planner to get an idea of when my midterms are and when to start preparing. I find that this improves my mood, as well as gives me momentum and a sense of accomplishment when tasks are checked off.
5. Getting dressed
While being cooped up in my house for the last couple of months, I developed the habit of changing back into comfy clothes after a shower. I found it useless and difficult to get ready, which led me to be unmotivated and sluggish. With things being remote this semester, I have discovered that simply changing my clothes makes me more determined and ambitious to complete tasks.
Overall, I recommend trying different things and establishing an enjoyable morning routine that will make mornings and the rest of the day more productive and motivating. It is also good to prioritize tasks but remember to practice self-care in an emotional, spiritual and physical way.