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Parents and children can do many different things to keep busy mornings as smooth as possible. While some people like to wing their morning tasks, others prefer to have a structured schedule. Morning routines aren’t one-size-fits-all, but there are a few tips that could work for your family. Here are eight tips to help you establish a solid morning routine for school.

How to Establish a Morning Routine for School

1. Prepare the night before

To avoid scrambling in the morning, prepare bags, meals and more the night before. This includes everything from packing supplies to laying out outfits to making overnight oats for breakfast. It’s always best to do as much as you can the evening before so you’re not trying to remember things as you’re heading out the door.

2. Set a relaxing alarm

This might seem counterintuitive, but setting an alarm that doesn’t actually sound like an alarm may help your overall mood in the morning. Instead of waking up to a harsh sound that jolts you out of bed, try a sound that will wake you but not scare you. The sound “silk” on the iPhone alarm app is a good one to try.

3. Wake up at a consistent time every day

Even if you’re not a fan of structured schedules, it’s a good idea to wake up at the same time every day. A research study that analyzed students’ sleep patterns at Harvard showed that students with irregular sleep patterns had a lower GPA than those with regular sleep patterns. It might take a few days to adjust, but there are many benefits to having a regulated sleep schedule. Among them are sharper alertness, improved focus and a better mood.

4. Start your day with self-care

Right after getting out of bed, set aside a few minutes for some personal care. This might be a 5-minute exercise, reading a chapter of a book, making your bed, washing your face or saying a prayer. Doing something that lifts your mood and brightens your morning will help get you prepare for a productive day at school.

5. Limit morning decision making

This tip goes hand in hand with preparing the night before. As much as possible, limit decisions that need to be made in the morning. For example, if your child wants to walk to school instead of taking the bus, they should have a route planned and know the appropriate departure time well before morning.

6. Have breakfast

Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day! Breakfast gives you a boost of energy so you’re ready to tackle classes and work. Missing breakfast may negatively impact your short-term memory and academic performance.

7. Review the day’s schedule and to-do list

A new study suggests that it’s a good idea to mentally prepare yourself for the day ahead of you. Make sure to factor in a few minutes either before you leave your home or on your way to school to review your day’s schedule and to-do list.

8. Leave at the same time every day

Just as wake-up time should be consistent, so should your daily departure. Consistency and routine have proven to be beneficial to ensuring your morning goes as smoothly as possible. Aim to leave at the same time every day. Of course, schedules change and there are exceptions. It’s best to always check your maps app before leaving to minimize your chances of being late.