Coping during COVID: Wednesday survival guide
I have a confession to make. I love sleeping and am also good at it. I can fall asleep anywhere. I used to be against sleeping in public until someone called me a “cute sleeper.” Now, nothing can get in my way. I can easily sleep away an entire day. I bet I can out-sleep you. I loathe anything that gets between me and the love of my life.
So obviously I hate Wednesdays. As a Cohort B student, I have the luxury of sleeping in because my first class does not start until 11:50 a.m. On Wednesdays, both cohorts combine and start at 8:00 a.m. I know. What a joke! I wake up at 9:30 a.m. every day but now need to roll out of bed around 7:00 a.m. Here are some ways I have found to get through these early mornings that might help you too.
Whatever you do, do not snooze your alarm. I have “accidentally” turned off my alarm way too many times. If you have “accidentally” done this, move your phone or alarm far away from your bed. You will need to get up to turn it off and will not be able to roll over and easily go back to sleep. If hitting snooze is your thing, set your alarm for an earlier time. Factor in an extra thirty minutes or so to ensure that you are not late to class.
Although it is tempting to wear your pajamas to class and stay in bed, put some effort into your appearance, and move to an area where you can focus. If your desk is in your room, move it away from your bed and turn on your lights. If you have nowhere to work in your room, get out! I know you want to stay in bed, but you can’t. I promise you will be wrapped up in your sheets sleeping if you do not leave.
As you eat breakfast, play some upbeat music to wake yourself up. Drink a cup of coffee, and let the caffeine work its magic. You will be feeling alert and ready for the day. Check out my morning playlist for some song suggestions: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1ZwPrH5lWZKHDWNb0QlRgV?si=sfHwjZbXQMOyPH3IwveYnw.
The best way to stay engaged in class is to hold yourself accountable. I do this by participating. I must stay focused since I know I am going to raise my virtual hand a few times in each class. If this does not work for you, remind yourself that there will be a test. While you can get out of paying attention in class, you cannot get out of taking a test. If you are still unmotivated, think about your grade drastically dropping after failing a test. Dozing off is not worth it.
Another way I survive Wednesdays is by making the most out of passing period break. I get up, take a few laps around the room and do some jumping jacks to get the blood flowing. When I am feeling extra, I will even hold a plank for a minute.
As hard as it is to get through the first class, it is even harder to stay engaged during the second class because I am still tired. My mind and body have not recovered yet. A way I combat my exhaustion is by taking more detailed notes and highlighting. Even when I have tuned out the entire class, my notes are there to get me through.
Once school is over, it is time to reward yourself with a nap.
You deserve it.
