“MOM! DO WE HAVE TIME TO GET STARBUCKS?” I shout from the car. 

“NO, EMMA, YOU DIDN’T WAKE UP EARLY ENOUGH.” 

Correction, Mom: I didn’t get to do my morning routine to prepare for the day! If you rely on routines to keep your life organized and zen or if you want to elevate your academic lifestyle with ideal morning and evening practices, keep reading! After extensive research (asking people in the DRC), I have put together some of the most helpful morning and nighttime routines. First, let’s hear from some of our very own Sailor Sisters to see what they most look forward to before/after a long school day:  

Junior, Abby McMillan says, “I like to start my morning by waking up and making my bed, so I’m not tempted to get back in it.” I know you can all relate to this, and Abby has a great point. Naval Admiral William McRaven, the commander of U.S Special Operations agrees. He notes that “If you make your bed every morning you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another” (McRaven). Personally, I believe your room, and specifically, your bed is a reflection of yourself; how you’re doing, if you’re tired, if you feel content. Even if you aren’t in the best mood or feel slow, making your bed can significantly increase your mood and productivity. SO, MAKE YOUR BEDS! 

Next, Audrey Bonelli from the Freshman class explains how “showering at night has become a crucial part of my nighttime routine because I can scrub the day off and relax before bed.” Another freshman, Emily Horan, seconds that! Showering is an essential part of any nightly routine because it makes people feel clean and prepared for the next day; whatever bad grades or school stresses that plague you during the day can now be rinsed off and sent down the drain at night; it symbolizes a fresh start, and we all need that at some point or another.

According to Isabella Sullivan, class of 2024, a crucial part of her morning routine includes “turning on my favorite playlist in the morning…” as it “gets me excited and motivated to start my day.” YES!  Music helps you wake up, get energized, and it can set the tone for the day! Kim Innes, a professor at West Virginia University, explains that “music seems to ‘selectively activate’ neurochemical systems and brain structures associated with positive mood, emotion regulation, attention and memory in ways that promote beneficial changes” (Innes). Basically, listening to Nicki Minaj in the morning will 1000% make you happier (but we knew this already).

Playing music seems to be a trend, as Madame President Clara Kiene also “loves lighting candles and playing music before I go to bed because it’s a great way for me to wind down and get into a peaceful mindset so that I feel refreshed in the morning.” Totally! Aromatherapy combined with music can help relax the mind and release stress, preparing you for the best sleep of your life! Just don’t forget to blow the candles out… 

My final note for the best morning and nighttime routines is journaling. While it seems like a lot of work, it’s really effective in preparing for a new day. Writing, in general, helps me to get my thoughts out on paper and calm down as I reflect on my day. A lot of people like to keep a diary, but I actually like to respond to a prompt: Piccadilly’s 300 Writing Prompts is a super fun way to get ready for bed and jot some thoughts down. Some of the prompts include “If you could buy a ticket to anywhere in the world, where would you go?” or “What is your ideal summer vacation?” Reflecting on these questions allows me to ground myself in my thoughts and sometimes even sets a prompt for my dreams! Weird, right?

Now what you’ve all been waiting for, THE MARYMOUNT MORNING ROUTINE: 

1. Wake up (early enough so you can do the rest of the things on this list)
2. GET THE MUSIC GOING!!!! – Izzy Sullivan
3. Make your bed <3- Abby McMillan
4. Head to the bathroom and get your morning hygiene out of the way (brushing your teeth and hair, cleaning your face, etc.) 
5. Get dressed (Appropriate uniforms only, of course!!) 
6. Breakfast Time! YUM. 
   1. COFFEE. 
7. Head to school and get ready for a great day! 

THE MARYMOUNT NIGHTTIME ROUTINE: 

1. Get home from school and make yourself a snack. We need energy to get all this homework done!
2. Plan an efficient studying schedule (start with the assignments that are due the next day and gradually work your way through.) 
   1. My advice: TAKE BREAKS IN BETWEEN ASSIGNMENTS. Even if they are short 5-10 minute ones, these breaks increase your productivity and shift your focus to a new topic/assignment. 
      1. A really great way to achieve this is following the Pomodoro Effect, a studying strategy that breaks studying up into 25-minute increments with many breaks in between. Use this website to help! 
3. After homework, if you have time, do something that relaxes your brain 
   1. Watching TV, reading, going on a walk, baking, shopping, etc. 
4. Eat dinner 🙂 
5. TAKE A LONG SHOWER!! –Audrey Bonelli and Emily Horan 
6. Play some music, light some candles, journal/read, and GO TO SLEEP <3

That’s all I have for now, Marymount, stay tuned!