How to Do the Best Morning Routine Ever (School)

Creating a college morning routine that is perfect for you and sets you up for the busy day ahead will probably be the biggest challenge you face as a college student.

I mean let's face it:

• You're constantly worried about the next exam coming up,
• If you finished all your assignments and didn't forget one,
• You're trying to have some kind of social life,
• Oh, and you probably have a job or internship, and maybe a club that's taking up your time.

Late nights and being tired all the time have become the norm.

You think there's no way you could maintain a good morning routine to set you up for the day ahead.

But let me tell you something, you can!

Now quick disclaimer, I was NOT a morning person before college.

Even during my first semester, getting up just a little bit earlier than needed was not on my radar.

But now?

I love mornings! Yep, you read that right.

I have found the perfect tricks that make me want to get out of bed every morning.

What you do in the mornings, directly affects how the rest of your day will go.

I can't imagine not doing these things I'm about to share with you. They make my mornings enjoyable. I'll never go back.

Are you ready to make your perfect morning routine?

Let's get started.

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Productive College Morning Routine Ideas:

1. Stop using your phone as an alarm clock!

Seriously, it is way too easy to hit snooze on your phone or to immediately start scrolling through social media instead of just getting up.

In Hal Elrod's book "The Miracle Morning for College Students", he includes this quote by Demetri Martin:

"If you really think about it, hitting the snooze button in the morning doesn't even make sense. It's like saying, 'I hate getting up in the morning, so I do it over and over and over again.'"

I mean think about it.

Do you really want to hear that alarm go off over and over again? You're just putting off the inevitable and giving yourself less time to get ready before class.

Instead, I found this alarm clock on Amazon and it's a live-saver!

This alarm clock is literally the best.

It is especially helpful for those winter months when you have to get up before the sunrises.

(Here in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan the sun doesn't rise until 8:30 for about 2-3 months in the middle of winter!)

This alarm simulates the sun rising in your room.

It slowly gets brighter 10-30 minutes before the alarm is set to go off. You can decide how early you want the light to start.

This alarm also includes nature sounds to wake you up which is so much less annoying than the blaring beeping on your phone.

Plus when you shut the alarm off the light stays on until you shut it off so you can use it to illuminate your room.

Also, put it on the other side of the room! You have a better chance of staying out of bed if you have to get up to shut the alarm off.

Try it for yourself. I will never go back to a regular alarm clock.

2. Turn the lights on, splash water in your face, and get a glass of water.

Do these three things right after you shut your alarm off.

Don't crawl back into bed or grab your phone and start scrolling through social media.

Go straight to the bathroom, turning the lights on as you go, or opening the curtains. Getting some light on as soon as possible makes it easier to stay awake.

Once you're in the bathroom, splash some water on your face. I usually do cold water cause nothing can wake you up faster than some ice-cold water.

Right after, drink a whole glass of water.

Your body is dehydrated when you first wake up and dehydration can cause fatigue which makes you more likely to want to crawl back into bed.

Keep a glass next to your bathroom sink or a water bottle next to your alarm clock. Doesn't matter where just drink some water asap.

3. Make some coffee or tea

Congratulations!

You've successfully gotten out of bed without hitting snooze, why not reward yourself?

Brew your favorite coffee and make it something you look forward to every morning. This little reward will increase your chances of getting up.

If you hit that snooze button and lose 5-10 minutes, then you don't have time to make some delicious coffee.

Even if you live in a dorm, you can still make some awesome coffee with a small dorm size Keurig.

Or you can be fancy and use a French Press and warm up your water using an electric kettle. (make sure to check with your university first before purchasing these items as some schools don't allow them😢)

All these items you can find on Amazon for relatively cheap.

Stop wasting money on a Starbucks coffee on your way to class when you can easily make it right in your dorm room.

4. Make your bed

While your coffee (or tea) is brewing go back to your bedroom and make your bed.

Do NOT crawl back into it.

The act of making your bed right away in the morning can skyrocket your productivity for the day.

You've only been awake for maybe 10 minutes and you've already done something to clean up your room.

Plus you won't want to mess up a beautifully made bed to crawl back into it, right?

A made bed also immediately makes your room look clean and put together and who doesn't love a clean space. You could also decorate it with some cute throw pillows.

The next few items can be done in whatever order you choose. This is the order my mornings go, but you'll find what works best for you over time.

5. Meditation

I've only recently added this to my morning routine and it is the hardest but I feel so calm and focused after.

You don't have to meditate for 30 minutes. Seriously, I only do 5-10 minute meditation sessions, because quite frankly, it's difficult to sit in silence for that long. But it is very rewarding.

There are so many studies on meditation and I don't want to bore you.

All I'm gonna recommend is starting with 5-minute guided meditations that are all over youtube.

6. Do a mini-workout

Getting the blood flowing right away in the morning feels so good.

Some mornings I just don't feel like doing anything, but I force myself to put on my workout clothes and get my heart pumping.

After my workout, I feel "alive, awake, alert, and enthusiastic". (tell me you sang that too right😂)

But seriously, I have the best days when it starts with a workout.

These don't have to be intense 30-minute workouts or a run around the neighborhood. There are so many short home workout routines on youtube that can do just the trick.

Try not to do the same thing every morning, mix it up. You can do yoga, a HIIT workout, or some cardio.

Make a schedule ahead of time so you aren't wasting 5 minutes of your morning trying to decide what to do.

Also, make working out appealing to your half-asleep self.

Layout some cute workout clothes the night before. And have your yoga mat already laid out ready to go.

If you don't have a yoga mat yet, I recommend this one from Amazon. It's inexpensive and comes in so many different colors.

Here's an example of my workout schedule (though remember I am training for a marathon, your workouts don't have to be this intense!)

• Mon – 20 min Power Yoga
• Tues – 30 min run
• Wed – 15 min HIIT Workout
• Thurs – 30 min run
• Fri – 15 min Yoga + 15 min Pilates
• Sat & Sun – More marathon training (but feel free to take these days off; I'm just crazy😂)

7. Shower and get ready for the day

After I'm all sweaty and gross, it's time for a shower.

If you're a shower-at-night person just ignore this step, but seriously showering in the morning is the last thing I need to complete my morning and be completely awake and feel put together to start my day.

After your shower, get dressed in something that makes you feel put together and happy.

No, you don't have to wear a suit to class. That's not what I'm saying. But wear something that you feel great in.

Dressing up a little nicer than just some sweats can make you feel confident and ready to conquer your day.

8. Breakfast!

I know you've heard it before, but I definitely believe breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Without it, I feel groggy and tired again by the time I get to my first class.

I know some people just can't eat right away in the morning and I'm not saying you should but seriously, if you're not starving by the time you finish a workout, then I think you're crazy😝

You don't have to make an elaborate meal like eggs, bacon, and hashbrowns.

You could make a simple smoothie or protein shake, or if you're running late, grab a protein bar. Just make sure it's something you enjoy with enough protein to get you through the morning.

9. Listen to some music or a podcast

During most of my morning routine, I have music or a podcast playing. I find that I get really motivated to start my day when I'm listening to a powerful podcast.

Or if I want to get pumped up, I'll turn on my favorite tunes. Sometimes I'll even start dancing in the kitchen while making breakfast.

Music can change your attitude and emotions in seconds. It's crazy!

10. Journal

This doesn't have to take long. Literally set a timer and just write for a bit.

You could have some pre-made writing prompts or write down 5 things you are grateful for or do some stream of consciousness writing. This helps clear your mind to be ready for the day ahead.

Ready to give journaling a try? Grab these 30 free journal prompts to get you started!

11. Read Something

The last major thing I do is read a self-help book.

I love learning about anything in the realms of personal development, hence this blog. I especially love learning something right in the morning and then applying it to the rest of my day.

If that's not something you enjoy then find a fiction book you like and read a chapter in the morning.

This can also act as another reward if you get up early enough and love reading.

You could also put this habit into your commute to school.

I live about 30 minutes from campus by car. So I will sometimes listen to an audiobook during my commute if I ran out of time in the morning.

Here are some personal development books that I recommend.

Other things you could add to your morning routine:

• Do something creative in the morning, like painting, writing, or bullet journaling. Get those creative juices flowing right away.
• Read the daily news
• Get some fresh air
• Review your monthly, quarterly, or weekly goals
• Recite affirmations
• Look at a vision board
• Read some inspirational quotes
• Pray and read the Bible

For even more ideas check out 20 Morning Routine Ideas that will Make You Want to Get Up

What some more inspiration? Check out these books:

The Miracle Morning – Hal Elrod

The 5 am Club – Robin Sharma

What The Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast – Laura Vanderkam

Final Thoughts

Your morning routine doesn't have to be an elaborate 3-hour ritual.

It's your morning. Do whatever you want with however much time you want to give yourself.

Also, don't feel like you need to do all of these things. Just try a few at a time to figure out what you like and what best prepares you for the day.

What is your favorite thing to do during your morning routine? Let me know in the comments!

Now that you've made a morning routine, why not make a college evening routine too?

More College Related Posts:

Time Blocking Your College Schedule

What to do During Syllabus Week for Your Best Semester Yet

Sunday Habits for Busy College Students

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How to Do the Best Morning Routine Ever (School)

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