I am not a morning person, and I’m guessing that many of you SLNers share my distaste for sunrises and alarm clocks. That being said—and as much as I hate to admit it—the morning can be the best time to get things done! As collective non-enthusiasts of waking up early, let’s tackle 10 things you can do in the morning to make your day better and more productive.

1. Take on the Tiny Tasks

The best way to learn to love the morning is to use it for everything it’s worth. The idea of doing anything in the morning makes my brain want to melt itself, but it’s 100% guaranteed that getting those pesky small  tasks done will make the rest of your day run more smoothly. If you get everything done right away, then the rest of the day is all yours.

2. Get the Blood Flowing

For many students, the only thing worse than mornings is exercise. However, exercise is one of the best things you can do for your body, and it’s a surefire way to feel supercharged and sprung into action for the day. No need for a crossfit-styled routine; ten minute stretches, light yoga, or even a 30-day online challenge is a perfect way to increase your energy for the day. If you want to follow a morning yoga routine, Tara Stiles on YouTube is always a great choice. Warrior One yourself into a more productive day! Your body will thank you for it.

3. Eat!

Now that is something everyone loves doing. Studies have shown that breakfast is essential for increasing brain power and energy in the morning, and trying new foods will probably have you rolling out of bed happy. Look up different ways to make eggs, add new fruit to a fruit salad, or try adding orange juice to your breakfast every day. If you’re not a fan of nature’s candy, there’s always everyone’s favourite breakfast food: bacon! You can even buy yourself a Wake’n Bacon alarm clock if you’re really hardcore. Trust me—you’ll never want to miss out on a morning with that puppy around.

4. Make To-Do Lists

A good to-do list will help you organize your day. Before you go to sleep, write down everything that needs to be done (organized by priority, easiness, or however you like) so you’ll have a plan for what to do the next morning. Don’t forget to throw something fun in there so your day doesn’t feel like a 24-hour errand run.

5. Make (Any) Progress

Fact #1: it can take a while for breakfast to be ready. Fact #2: you have homework to do. If you’ve got spare time while you’re preparing food, waiting for the bus, or commuting, do that chapter reading you’ve been putting off. It’ll feel great to finally know what your teacher has been talking about for the past two months. If you’re on top of your schoolwork, catch up on a novel that’s been collecting dust on your shelf. Write. Doodle. Just try to do something if you’ve got time to kill.

6. Sing and Dance Like a Disney Princess

Putting on music and totally jamming out in the morning will make your early bird experience—dare I say it—fun. Practice that solo you’ve always wanted to belt out or see how loud you can raise your voice. Your roommates will thank you (or not) for the Grammy-worthy performance.

7. Clean Up

Every SLNer knows the feeling of looking at their house and making a mental list of all the dirt that needs to be scrubbed. It’s a horrible list that makes you want to crawl back into bed. The best way to minimize that list is to clean up as you go. Do your dishes or a quick sweep while you wait for the bus. Coming home exhausted and plopping into bed at the end of the day will never have been so guilt-free.

8. Jump Into a Waterfall

Well, chances are you don’t own a “waterfall”, per se. But I bet you have a shower. Waking up a little bit early to hop in the shower will change your mornings forever. Not to mention that if you’re tired enough, I’m sure you can convince yourself it’s a waterfall.

9. Eat (More)!

There’s never enough food. Pack a lunch the night before. Not only will you save money, but you’ll be eating healthier. Throw in a nice treat once in a while and you’ll be especially excited to roll out of bed and start your day.

10. Wear Clothes

This is suitable advice for almost any occasion. Want to free up some morning time to do all those other exciting things I mentioned? Picking out your clothes the night before will save precious minutes you might spend showering your room in underwear. Dress for success and eat that Wake’n Bacon goodness.