With a new year of studies underway, don’t get stuck in the morning routine rut! If you find yourself consistently hitting the snooze button, rushing out the door while putting on your shoes and eating a protein bar, then it might be time to overhaul your morning routine. Getting an early start and being more organized can make all the difference in being productive, achieving goals and doing it all with confidence. Here are some tips to start your day off right:

Plan up Front

Remember when your mom would lay out your clothes the night before a big day? You should still do that, but you should also think about what else you will need to do ahead of time. Do all the planning up front to make everything as easy as possible once you wake up, keeping you on time and focused on the day ahead.

Stick to a Schedule

Decide what you want your morning routine to be by writing down a schedule. Put a note next to your bed or write it on a chalk board in your room. This will help you stick with the routine.  The more detailed you are, the better. For example, schedule everything from the time you want to wake up, to when you are going to brush your teeth, get dressed, eat breakfast, review class notes, text a friend, and lock up your apartment and head to class. 

Create the Right Space

Consider renting pieces to facilitate the right flow to keep you organized and on time. Place shelves by your front door to hold your backpack, shoes, umbrella, and any other items you’ll need heading to campus. Rental is ideal for students living off-campus because it provides the flexibility to choose furnishings and other necessary items for apartment living without the stress, hassle, and cost of buying these items. CORT, the leading provider of furniture rental in the U.S., furnishes thousands of student apartments with everything from beds and sofas to housewares and electronics – all with affordable rental package options.

The morning routine helps set the tone for the day, allowing you to control your schedule rather than the schedule controlling you, causing unnecessary stress. Start each day focused on the tasks at hand and be sure to prioritize your time, which in turn will increase your productivity.