For many of us, our schedule looks a little something like wake up, get ready, eat, go to class, study, go to class, study, eat, study and sleep. As you might imagine, weekends are heaven on earth while Mondays are my least favorite day of the week. With my erratic sleep schedule over the weekend, I’ve overslept and missed classes on a few occasions. Staying warm and toasty inside my room is vastly preferable to facing the frigid morning air during a walk to class. If you’re like me and struggle to get up in the morning, here are three ways to help jump-start your Mondays. 

Sleep at a reasonable time

The first change I made was admittedly the hardest. I had to change my sleep schedule. If I got ready to sleep after 2 a.m., I was guaranteed to wake up in a sullen mood, unwilling to even get up, lulled by the temptation of sleep. Dragging yourself out of bed in the morning is difficult, but it’s infinitely more challenging if you can hardly open your eyes. To correct this, I began sleeping at a reasonable time. It’s still not a delight to wake up early in the morning, but this was a step in the right direction for a smoother Monday.

Make a list

At the beginning of my college career, I doubted this method because the last thing I needed was to add more work to my plate. But I realized that my Monday sluggishness was due to the sense of being aimless, overwhelmed by all of the tasks that seemed impossible to even start. I made a list on my phone, typing things out in order of priority. The burst of pride that ran through me every time I checked one of the tasks off of the list made me want to accomplish more. To see every box checked is an extremely satisfying sight because it allows me to see all that I have done laid out plainly.

Get a head start

Somehow, starting a huge project is even more frightening than finishing it. To stare at a blank page, knowing that I somehow have to type out several pages of detailed analysis, is daunting. The utter thought of all of that work ahead of me often leads me to turn off my laptop during the weekend, only to open it Monday. That familiar feeling of dread turns in my stomach, so I had to change my weekend routine. Even if it was something as simple as creating a new document and typing my name and date, I started the assignments I knew I had to do; I wrote a few sentences; I made an outline. I set the framework, so when I went back to it the following Monday, I would have a clear pathway paved for me to follow. 

These three tips essentially boil down to one thing: preparation. I wanted to do no work over the weekend, making Mondays the worst day of the week for me. However, luck favors the prepared for a reason. If we know what to expect and are ready to handle the situation going forward, then the fear of the unknown decreases. There were no parents here to urge me to finish my homework. I only had myself to fuel my work ethic. If I laid down everything I needed to do the weekend before, then I would have a much clearer objective Monday and, by extension, the rest of the week. While weekends are for relaxation, they are also a chance to make our lives easier by planning ahead.