getting up early

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Okay so I am *NOT* a morning person - I'm pretty grumpy in the morning because I'm so tired. I have clinicals this semester starting at 7ap but I plan on getting up at 5am (:eek:) to get stuff ready, eat a good breakfast, etc. How do you guys go about "waking yourself up" in the morning? It is so hard for me once that alarm goes off.

I have 6 other roommates but I only share a room with 1 of them so I have to be respectful of her - I would be ****** if someone woke me up at 5am if I didn't have to get up at that time!

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Sounds like you have a good plan! Also, I would consider perhaps going to bed earlier to help too. Good luck and have fun!

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Sounds like you have a good plan! Also, I would consider perhaps going to bed earlier to help too. Good luck and have fun!

That was my other plan as well (to go to bed early) but I find myself not being able to fall asleep when I know I have something going on the next day! :(

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

I share your pain.

I get absolutely EVERYTHING ready the night before and put it in my car (except, of course, my clothes) :) I lay my clothes out on my dresser.

Maybe engage in some activity the afternoon/evening before to help you sleep. For example, walking, going to the gym, etc.

Eventually you will become more of a 'morning person.' Of course, that doesn't mean you'll always like it.

Best Wishes,

Diane

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Specializes in Woundcare.

Melatonin might help you get to bed at a reasonable hour the night before. The morning of, COFFEE! Also, I really try to streamline my morning routine so I don't wake the rest of my family up. I set out my scrubs and shoes and whatnot, along with steth, pocket organizer, nametag, what-have-you. I make sure my bag is packed and ready to go right by the door and I try to setup some food that I can just grab and run. This way, I can get up a tiny bit later and I don't have to stress about being late to clinicals because I can't find my right shoe or my nametag or something.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Definitely force yourself to get to bed early even if you only lay there and watch tv. I used to have to get up at 3:30 am for clinicals, ick. Definitely do breakfast and coffee. Chewing cinnamon gum on my ride also helped pep me up. Good luck!

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Find a morning routing that works for you and stick with it.

For me I take a long cool shower then coffee.

I take a break as soon as I can after the sun comes up just to stand out in the sunlight. I do notseem to really wake up till I see sunlight.

Mke sure you eat a good breakfast.

Good luck on it

Sandy

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Specializes in SICU/CVICU.

I have always had trouble waking up early....my whole life!! On a typical class day I just wake up at the last minute and go, but on clinical days I can't show up half asleep.

I always give myself plenty of time to get ready. I usually wake up about an hour before I have to leave and I turn the tv on and eat breakfast. I think keeping the tv on is what wakes me up the most.

And I guess if you drink coffee, then make yourself some coffee.

Oh and sometimes I have a hard time falling asleep the night before clinicals so I take Benadryl. It usually helps.

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Specializes in pediatrics, oncology.

I was not a morning person before I started nursing school, and I must say I've gotten much better about getting up early... though I still don't think it's my thing and I'm a month away from graduation lol. Anyway, I set 3 alarms. The first one I don't have to actually get out of bed to turn off, and it's more like a "okay-you're gonna have to get up soon" alarm, and then 5 minutes later I have another alarm and about 2-3 minutes later a third alarm. The last one I have to get out of bed and go across the room to turn off, and I make myself go to the bathroom to brush my teeth and start getting ready right after I turn it off. My friends in NS make fun of me for setting 3 alarms, but I say do what you have to do!

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Specializes in Psychiatry.
Chewing cinnamon gum on my ride also helped pep me up. Good luck!

Interesting. Thanks for the tip!

Diane

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Specializes in Cardiac Care.

I have never been and never will be a morning person. Nursing school has taught me that I can at least get up and function when I need to, but liking it will never be a part of my psyche. What generally works for me, as others have said, is getting to bed early, even if I read or watch TV. I also set the alarm for 1/2 hour before I need to be up because then I can hit the snooze several times. By the last time, I'm usually awake.

Good luck to you!

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Specializes in pediatrics, oncology.
I have never been and never will be a morning person. Nursing school has taught me that I can at least get up and function when I need to, but liking it will never be a part of my psyche. What generally works for me, as others have said, is getting to bed early, even if I read or watch TV. I also set the alarm for 1/2 hour before I need to be up because then I can hit the snooze several times. By the last time, I'm usually awake.

Good luck to you!

Oh yes, the snooze button is my best friend. :)

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