September 30, 2021 | Lifestyle
START YOUR DAY WITH A MORNING ROUTINE
BY ASHLEY VANDERHOFF
N Editor
o one enjoys a frantic morning, especially when many of us are not accustomed to waking up early every day after a year where we could sleep in more often. The mad rush between waking up and leaving the door can be stressful. Still, a morning routine does not need to be a dreaded part of your day; it can be a motivational jump start. A morning routine can be most effective when you start the night before. Many students tend to wait until the morning to organize their thoughts and prepare for the day, a trend that typically results in an uncharged Chromebook, forgotten work or not making it to class on time. To help avoid these issues, junior Sandra Bach always makes sure to do her homework the night before it is due. “Sometimes I would not do homework the night before, but then I would be like, ‘Oh, I really do need to do it.’ So then I would set my alarm for four in the morning to do homework for 40 [minutes] and then go back to bed,” Bach said. Bach quit this unhelpful habit after her freshman year, which significantly improved her mornings. One of the most effective ways to ensure you avoid rushing around in the morning is to pack your bag the night before. Social studies teacher Javier Martinez’s advice for high
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schoolers revolves around their sleeping habits. “Get to bed at a decent time. Don’t stay up until 1 a.m. playing video games. A good night’s sleep means you’ll get up in the morning refreshed. And have a routine before you go to bed,” Martinez said. One of the best things we can do to benefit our mornings is start getting ready for the next day during the night before. Students not waking up when they’re supposed to seems to be the common factor of a crazy morning rush. But when a student prepares their bag, outfit and schoolwork, they do not need to worry about forgetting something and can even wake up later. Oftentimes, as a result of not waking up early enough, students do not eat breakfast. According to healthychildren.
Photo by Kyra Motyka
I try not to be rushed so that I have a routine. I set an alarm. I know I’m [going to] be getting up. I mentally prepare. Social studies teacher Javier Martinez
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Photo by Ashley Vanderhoff
Getting your backpack ready the night before is a quick and simple task that prepares you for the morning. Ensuring your Chromebook is charged can make the morning less stressful.
Page design by Kyra Motyka
The sun rises over Elburn as a new school day starts. Most Kaneland students are typically on their way to school as the sun finishes rising.
org, kids who eat breakfast perform better in school and function better overall. Whether you decide to wake up early in the morning or later, breakfast should not be something that is overlooked. “Everyone needs to eat breakfast. I cook a full meal; I cook eggs and bacon and pancakes. And [students] can also eat healthy food, but it’s just important to eat in general,” Bach said. However, not everyone needs to plan 30 minutes in the morning to eat breakfast. For some, breakfast was never high on the list of priorities to begin with, so spending more time than you need in the morning can demotivate you from sticking to a schedule. There are plenty of easy and quick meals, though, that you can eat for breakfast or on the way to school. If leaving enough time for a full meal for breakfast does not work for you, you can try preparing nutritional snacks in the morning, such as hard boiled eggs or yogurt parfaits. An example of a quick breakfast that is easy to eat in the car
Photo by Ashley Vanderhoff
A quick and easy breakfast is a great way to provide a stress-free morning. One example is making a piece of toast with the toppings of your choosing.
could be blending assorted fruits to make a delicious smoothie. A simple breakfast such as toast with creative toppings like avocado or fruit can provide plenty of nutrition, while taking minimal time to eat. Martinez also stresses the importance of waking up early to accomplish everything you need to do before school. “Things need to get done, and that begins by getting up on time... and not being rushed, because when you’re rushed, you don’t do a good job. You forget things like not bringing your Chromebook to school, forgetting your lunch or forgetting your homework,” Martinez said. Preparing the night before and giving yourself plenty of time to wake up should be a priority for everyone. Motivating yourself for the rest of your day can be as simple as setting aside some time for yourself. This may not seem like a priority in the morning while trying to head to school, but successful people agree that it is an essential step. According to the academic website lifehack.org, not having to rush is the key to a stress-free morning. Additionally, lifehack.org reports that with 90% of illnesses related to stress, taking a moment to sit and relax can help keep you calm. While advice from someone else can help you plan a motivational morning routine, in the end, it is best to do what works for you. Some people work better with a simple outline, while others do better with a scheduled itinerary. No matter what works for you, make sure to include breakfast, prepare the night before and try not to rush yourself. “I try not to be rushed so that I have a routine. I set an alarm. I know I’m [going to] be getting up. I mentally prepare. ‘Hey, that alarm is going to go off at 5:45, so you need to get up when the alarm goes off.’ [It’s] the practice of knowing I need to be responsible,” Martinez said.
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