Working 9-5 before your 9-5

Happy Valley is happy again! The sidewalks are packed like your high school hallways, the sun is shining, but you wake up this morning with your mascara smudged down your face and the sound of your roommates shrieking and debriefing the night before on your couch. Class is the last place you want to be, but that’s what you’re here to do.

It’s understandable. It can be hard to get motivated when your friends don’t have class on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Or there’s a FAC (Friday After Class) at your favorite frat, and your lab doesn’t get out until 4 p.m.. Lucky for you, there are a few ways you can get motivated, be productive and still have more than enough free time.

Sleeping Beauty

You don’t want an early morning class. Of course, almost no one does. Maybe you’ve gone out the night before, or maybe your sleep schedule is messed up. Don’t let that scare you away from a 9 a.m.. Having one can set you up for success for the rest of the semester. If you’re up early, you can finish up early and have the afternoon to chill. 

Corporate Baddie

Now, here is a crucial part of a successful semester. And yes, some might think this is extreme.

This is by no means a definitive schedule. Everyone knows things happen, plans come up, this is college after all. But don’t be too hard on yourself.

When you wake up for your 9 a.m., give yourself an extra 10 minutes to pick out a cute outfit, do your hair or maybe even a little makeup. When you look good, you feel good. Rolling out of bed isn’t going to do it for you and won’t get you in a good routine.

Once you’re on campus and feeling good, stay on campus. Even if you only have two classes, stay at the library in between, get a snack from Starbucks and get stuff done. There’s always something to study for or work you can get ahead of, especially when the semester starts to pick up.

Start treating your school days like a 9-5. Once 5 hits again, that time doesn’t need to be definitive; you’re free. You don’t need to look at your Canvas or scramble around at 11:30 that night about an assignment you forgot was due. You have the rest of the day to yourself, your friends or whatever you want. It’s the perfect balance.

A 9-5 gets a bad rap. But if you spend the hours in between grinding out your work, you will have your nights and weekends free for fun.

How do you make sure you have a healthy routine for the semester? Let us know on Instagram, @VALLEYMag!

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