As a high school student who commutes daily from Brooklyn to Manhattan, my time management in the morning is crucial to the success of the rest of my day. If I press snooze on my alarm one too many times, or take five extra minutes in the shower, it adds up. This can lead to having to leave home before I finish my breakfast or not having enough time to grab a matcha. I then find myself missing the morning F Express train. It’s not a great way to start the morning.
Thus, creating and maintaining an efficient morning routine will set your day up for success.
Firstly, make sure to get your homework completed and studying done early in the evening. Even small assignments are not worth putting off until the next morning, potentially causing you stress while trying to get out the door. Algebra teacher Mrs. Schleissmann says that “ students who submit their homework by 8:00 a.m. not only come to school on time, but overall do better on classwork and tests.” Although it is easy at the moment to procrastinate and put off homework, getting it done as soon as you get home is the best plan.
For many teenagers, getting dressed for the day takes up a lot of time, and often consists of multiple outfit changes. Choosing something to wear, or at least one piece of clothing you’d like to wear the next day, will cut down on time spent trying to decide on the perfect outfit. Museum Freshman Sonya Jarymovych says that doing this “saves [her] about 15 minutes in the morning,” eliminating wasted time rummaging through her closet before school.
Lastly, prioritize sleep! Cutting down on your screen time before bed is crucial to slowing down your body and mind, and creating the ideal atmosphere for a restful night. The blue light from your phone screen can actually stop you from feeling tired! Rather than scrolling endlessly through Instagram, or playing countless hours of your favorite online game, unplug.
Freshman Dahlia Legendre says that she’s noticed putting away her phone, up to an hour before bed, has “substantially decreased” her anxiety levels when sleeping. When trying to decompress, spend your time doing something that relaxes you, away from screens. Whether that is reading, writing or simply just lying down and shutting your eyes.
One thing to remember is that what works for many may not work for others. Some people like to wake up earlier than they need to and take their time getting ready. Others will spring out of bed and be out the door in 5 minutes. Therefore, you don’t have to follow others’ routines exactly. It may take time to build your own routine and figure out what works best for you. By figuring out what schedule you have to follow, you can ensure you set your day up for success.
