Getting up early

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I am NOT a morning person. For the past couple weeks, I have been trying to get up early to be prepared for nursing school. (Generally, I get up around 8:30.) But now with clinicals starting at 6:30am and class at 8am, I obviously have to be wide awake sooner! I just can't seem to get up before 6:30 and am soooo not alert. Anyone have any ideas on how I can wake up easier and not be so groggy?

(And yes, I do get about 8 hours of sleep.)

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I SOOO can relate! I've always been a night person, and really hate mornings. Even with a full eight hours, I'm a zombie in the a.m.

I haven't started clinicals yet so no advice, but I'm anxious to read any suggestions!

Good luck!

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

What is your typical bedtime?

Are you using a computer or TV before you go to bed?

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Well, I am naturally a morning person that automatically gets up around 5 am no matter what. But have you tried to go to bed earlier? Sorry that I am not much help. I am having the opposite problem. I am spent when 9pm comes around and can not keep my eyes open. Not very good for late night studying. Hope someone has a solution for you.

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Specializes in med/surg.

COFFEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Or if you're in the UK like me TEA!!!!!!!!!

I'm sooooo not a morning person either but over the years you just learn to manage. You'll just get to really appreciate those days off!

A good power shower with a lemon/citrus shower Gel is a good idea too.

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I know how you feel! I am not a morning person either, but I had to get up at 5am for clinicals last semester. I don't feel alert at all in the morning. I never got my full 8 hrs of sleep because I was always up late doing something for school.The only thing I did that sort of helped me was to get a shower the night before clinical. That way I was able to get 15 mins more of sleep. I know it doesn't sound like much, but getting up at 5am sounds a lot better to me than getting up at 4:45 am.

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Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

Oh boy can I relate.

I am not, and have never been, and will never be, a morning person. I am alert and ready to go at midnight...lol

I had to get up early (5:30am) last semester and there was nothing that helped, I just did it and got through it. I did finally start falling asleep earlier in the evenings just out of necessity, but it didn't come easy.

I usually take my bath in the evening before bed so that is one less thing I have to get up and do in the morning.

I hate mornings!!!!

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Drink Rockstar! Somehow I made it through 3 yrs of school, worked part time, and raised 2 young boys! Love that Rockstar drink!:monkeydance:

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Specializes in Level III cardiac/telemetry.

I just started a new job that requires me to leave the house at 6am. When I told me family they all just laughed at me and asked how long I thought it would last - shows you that I am NOT known for being a morning person. I found that if I got better sleep through the night I was okay. So I started stretching and doing some gentle yoga before going to bed. I have been sleeping better, waking up with more mobility ( I have fibromyalgia so that's usually an issue), and been ready to go - oh, and my alarm is set for 5am. Strangely enough, I'm finding that being on the road at 6am is kind of nice because there are very few people on the road so it keeps things calm, which keeps me from being all tense from road rage! Don't hype yourself all up on caffeine and sugars because you'll have a crash later on. Try a high protein breakfast and it should last you longer.

This is what works for me, but you may have to play around to find what works for you.

Goodluck!

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Specializes in NICU, High-Risk L&D, IBCLC.

I usually do a lot of caffeine but without the sugar - Diet Coke is my best friend (or black coffee on those reeeaaaally hard mornings). I always take my showers in the morning because by the time I've spent 15 minutes in the shower, I'm usually a lot more awake. This is what works for me because while a regular bedtime and 8 hours of sleep sounds great, I'm lucky if I make it to bed before midnight on a school night.

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Specializes in ER.

You will be surprised how well you will do. You will be so excited that you will have no problem getting out of bed:)

And I second the post about Rockstar, however I rely heavily on Rooster Booster:)

Good luck to you!

T

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How about setting your alarm an hour earlier than you need to and setting the time an hour ahead so you will think it is later..then you can wake up without rushing around???? I am dreading 430 am which will be coming in 2 weeks when school starts up again.......but I remind myself it's only for 15 weeks, not forever! I am usually fine once I am up & have a shower & coffee......driving to clinical in the dark really stinks! lol! :uhoh3:

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