Okay okay okay- we’re about to get pretty honest in this one. Because let’s be real- honest college morning routines (or morning routines in general) are like a non- existent thing! Seriously, just google it for yourself. Because I mean, I don’t know what your college campuses are like, but if they’re anything like mine, then they are packed full of snoozed alarms, 18-23-year olds who think they should be legally called “adults,” and stressed-out procrastinators who stayed out wayyy too late the previous night.
But- besides all that- I have never been a morning person, even before college. I was always the one who was walking into her first period class right before the bell even back in high school. Now, do I wish I was a morning person? YES! 100X YES! Like, I wish I could be like all the morning routines I read about online where the girl or guy wakes up at 5am and works out, makes a gourmet acai bowl, gets fully ready, and gets out of the door by 8 am; but the fact is- that’s not me, and I know that it can’t be all of you too. So that’s why I wrote this post!
This is my morning routine for the non- morning person, and the different tips and tricks I carry into my own life to *try* to make my mornings run smoother and my stress run lower.
So let’s dive in! Here are 9 ways to make that morning grinch you can be just a little more pleasant and put together. 😊
1.Your alarm (we first gotta get you out of that bed)
Now, I know what you’re thinking: Halie Kay whyyyyy?!?! Do NOT start with the one thing that makes us want to cry in the morning. But hey- calm down. Trust me, I’m not telling you to set a 4am alarm, instead I am going to share a few hacks I have used for years in order to let my alarm actually work.
- Set it to go off 20- 30 minutes before you actually have to be up and out of your bed.
This helps to wake up your body and to give you that little bit of snooze you crave!
- Set MULTIPLE alarms
This is literally the only way my alarm works haha. What I do for this is I set an alarm every 4-5 minutes within the first alarm that goes off and the one that makes me know that I need to get up and wake up. This way I slowly wake up with each alarm and by the last alarm I am so annoyed by that ringing noise that I want to get out of bed lol!
- Keep it OUT of arms reach
Now this one is optional. I don’t really do this one anymore, but at the beginning it helped a lot! It’s pretty self-explanatory too; I mean, set it away from the bed so when it goes off, you have to get up to turn it off. Easy peasy- you’re out of the bed!
2. Make your bed!
In college especially, this has been life changing! Seriously, it works incredible! See, as I’m crawling out of bed for the day, I make my bed- before I do ANYTHING else! This not only restrict from crawling back in because I don’t wanna mess up a newly made bed, but it also allows me feel accomplished. And in college, sometimes we just need a little boast of self- esteem, so why not just make your bed??
3. Make AND designate a time for a morning treat!
Now, this starts to be the reward section. Because us non- morning people know fair well how hard it is to wake up when we are cozy beneath our comforter! So, with this one, treat yourself!
For some, this might be a coffee to sip on while you get ready.
For me, I LOVE hot tea, so I boil my water in my kettle while I do my makeup and then pour me a cup of tea before I leave for me to have for that morning (because hey- I don’t know why- but carrying around a coffee cup in the morning just makes me feel a little more put- together 😊)
Here is the kettle I absolutely LOVE! I use it every morning and it is so sleek looking: Bodum Gooseneck Electric Water Kettle
4. Water water water!
This one is super simple as it…
- Rehydrates your body after a long (or short) night’s sleep.
And
- It forms a good habit that your body WILL thank you for!
5. Realistic Devotions :))
Now this one- this one is almost embarrassing, and I don’t know why haha! But, I’m gonna be honest and say that I do not wake up early enough for a long Bible study and sermon. BUTTT- what I do always try to maintain is the simple routine of reading a minimalistic devotional. I use Bible Gateway, but there are many others out there! What I love about the You Version app and Bible Gateway though is how there are THOUSANDS of devotionals to start that are short, simply, but so well written! You can do a plan by yourself or with friends for the added accountability as well! They take around 5-8 minutes I’ve found, and they are just a great way to start off your mornings without the stresses of life surrounding you so fast!
- Also, you can set a reminder alarm to go off to remind you to do your Bible plan, and I always set mine for right after my last wake-up alarm. That way I remember, and I can let it be the first thing I do in the mornings!
6. Wash yo’ face!
I don’t even want to explain this one, but sometimes I am too lazy to even walk down the hall to my bathroom (yes, I’m in a communal, dorm set- up). With that admitted now, I have to admit that washing your face in the morning helps with a few key things!
- Firstly, it’ll help you with all that acne that college inevitably gives you
- Secondly though, it’ll wake you up! Seriously, splash some cold water on that face of yours, and you’ll have a little more spunk to your step already!
7. Set your outfit for the day out the night BEFORE
Okay, other than the devotional one, this one is probably my GREATEST PIECE OF ADVICE! I have done this every night for the next morning for a couple years now, and I can personally admit it saves so much time, eases so much stress, and allows so many more things to run smoothly!! I am not even kidding, ask any of the girls who I live by in college and they literally know that it’s not time for bed until Halie comes over with the next days outfit asking if it works. BUT- there are a few thing I want to say with this…
- Don’t force yourself to dress up- know your upcoming day.
If you have been studying for hours that night and know that you will be extra exhausted the next morning, don’t pick out a multi- piece outfit that is going to take extra effort in putting on. Instead, make sure your fav sweats are washed and set those out.
- Also, don’t forget to accessorize!
When setting out clothing, don’t forget to lay out that fav necklace and those earrings you wanna wear with it all. This will give you more desire to actually put those things on, and it will also help you avoid the chaos of trying to find your missing earing in the mess of a dorm room.
- This ALSO includes setting out your backpack and getting it ready with all your class supplies and textbooks the night before!
8. Eat something- even if you’re not a breakfast person!
Now this one… this one and I have a complicated relationship…
See- I LOVE food. Seriously, kinda my fav thing ever lol, but- I have never been a big fan of eating early in the morning. What I’ve learned though is that I feel so much better, more awake, and simply, put- together, if I eat something little in the morning! A few of my fav things I’ll grab in the morning are …
- Granola Bars!!
I LOVE this option! Choc. Chip granola bars or the KIND coconut and honey bars are my fav! They are so simple, healthy, and even contain a bit of protein depending on the ones you buy! Plus, buy them in bulk and they are a super affordable college option!
- BAGEL!!!
Okay, I like never have time to go downstairs to make a bagel, BUTTT they are my FAVORITE food so I couldn’t help but include them (and yes- downstairs. three flights of stairs to the dorm kitchen…).
- Yogurt and Granola!
This one is also super simple and it contains a little more nutrients than the plain old granola bar. I love a vanilla or honey Greek yogurt and then I use oat cheerios as my granola because then I don’t have to buy both cereal AND granola! Then I’ll drizzle a little honey over it all and call it good!
- Lastly, plain ol’ fruit!
IF you’re in college, DO NOT buy fruit! Seriously, your college cafeteria definatly has fruit like apples, orange, pears, and bananas so just stock up on those and eat them!
9. Lastly, as a final step, take a deep breath before you walk out the door and say three things you’re grateful for.
It’s such a simple, short, and seemingly insignificant thing to do, but it can have a huge impact on your outlook and attitude for the day you’re about to conquer!
Now, above all, give your day to God, and go be great! I believe in you! Hope I could help out some of my fellow non- morning folks! 😊
In love, HalieKay
