1. Set a morning routine
Getting the right start to your morning can make a huge difference in your motivation, productivity, and stress levels throughout the rest of your day. Believe me, but going to work after waking up and reaching straight into the coffee can be very tempting, so I would get in the habit of getting to the table and drinking a glass of water before getting out of bed. This is a fast way to rehydrate for your body if you sleep for 7-8 hours. It will also recharge your metabolism, and you can have that coffee or tea.

Most probably, you have your list of responsibilities in the morning, from making breakfast for your kids, preparing for work, or even just walking the dog. But before you get to them, take 5 to 10 minutes for self-care. What you do with that time is up to you, as long as it doesn’t involve scrolling through social media or checking your email. It could be as simple as making your bed, decluttering your study space, practicing a deep breathing exercise, or writing in your journal.

You can also prepare yourself for success the night before by taking care of some of your usual morning chores. Do the laundry, set out your work clothes, make your oatmeal, or pack a lunch for your kids—anything that can lessen your obligations will help to make your mornings less stressful and more enjoyable. If you’re not already a morning person, you may grow to be one!

2. Create a priority list for your studies
It is challenging to stay organized and on-task when you have several responsibilities to juggle. This is why it is essential to set daily study goals to ensure that your priorities are in check. One effective way of doing so is by using the SMART approach wherein you ensure that your goals are specific, measurable, relevant, attainable, and timely. When you create and achieve your daily SMART goals, you might also experience ancillary benefits including decreased anxiety, improved concentration, and enhanced motivation.
Examples of SMART study objectives include:
30 minutes to read an assigned material for the following day
Completion of research due in 2 weeks
Joining an online meeting with your class for 15 minutes to review a group work
Sending questions to your instructor via email about the next assignment.
Use your lunch break to make an outline on a writing assignment
Note that this is not the same thing as your study calendar, which will list by macro terms what’s due when for all of your courses: projects, quizzes, and exams. Instead, you should think on a micro level and ask yourself, “What do I need to do today to ensure that I’m on track in my studies?

” If that helps, you can also include your work and personal responsibilities, since the goal is to ensure that you fulfill them all to the best of your ability.
3. Get enough sleep

If you want to succeed academically, then taking care of your physical health is very important. A huge component of that involves getting enough sleep every night. Work, academic, and personal stressors can create anxiety, preventing your brain from relaxing once you hit the pillow. Here are 4 steps you can take to help increase the chances of getting a restful sleep:
Maintain a sleep schedule. When it’s possible, go to bed and wake up around roughly the same time each day, avoiding sleeping in on the weekends. If you can’t fall asleep within a few hours, get up and listen to music, read until you’re tired enough to go back to bed. Naps more than 30 minutes can interfere with your nighttime sleep.
Avoid blue light exposure: Electronic devices like smartphones and computers emit blue light, which disrupts your circadian rhythm, making your body think it’s daytime. Stop watching T.V. and dim the lights a couple of hours before bed. If you must use electronics, invest in glasses that block blue light.
Pay attention to your food and drink: It’s best not to go to bed hungry or too full, as the resulting discomfort may prevent sleep. If possible, have nighttime snacks and drinks at least 1 to 2 hours before bed. Both caffeine and alcohol are also disruptive to your sleep, so try to limit your intake in the evening.
Create a comfortable environment: For most people, a cool, dark, and quiet room is ideal for sleeping. If this doesn’t describe your bedroom, consider using blackout curtains, a noise machine, or earplugs. If you can’t control the room temperature, a fan can help cool things off while also offering some ambient noise.

4. Eat healthy and stay active

It’s time to take stock of how you’re fueling and moving your body. If you find yourself reaching for sugar or caffeine to keep you going, then consider making some changes. A fiber-rich diet, which includes whole grains, vegetables, legumes, and fruits, can help you feel fuller longer. Try to include color and variety when choosing fruits and veggies, like yellow, orange, red, purple, and dark green produce.

Beans, fish, poultry, and nuts are all good sources of protein, as well as having healthy fats, which the brain needs to work properly.

Exercise is also good for both your body and your mind, but getting your body moving doesn’t necessarily mean spending hours in the gym. It does involve setting aside time during the day, whether that’s 15 or 50 minutes, to take a walk or run, fit in a bike ride, or play your favorite sport. The key is finding the activities that you enjoy and integrating them into your schedule. The benefits of exercise include:
Stress relief
Mood boost
Better sleep
More energy
Lowered blood pressure
Boosted cognitive function If you have a hard time prioritizing physical activity, you may want to give a strategy called habit stacking a try. Author James Clear describes the process in his book Atomic Habits: It involves taking a new habit—in this case, exercise—and adding it onto an existing habit that is already entrenched in your routine. For instance, use the time awaiting your coffee brewing in the morning to do your sit-ups and push-ups or dance around when preparing your breakfast to get a bit of that aerobics in.

Whatever works best is the point on how to best build habits.

5. Apply healthy coping mechanism

It is practically impossible to do well in your academics if you are constantly worried out. Excessive worry causes issues such as irregular sleep, headaches, loss of interest, inability to concentrate, and poor memory retention. And when your stress is coming from one facet of your life, say your career or a relationship, it bleeds into areas like education.

That’s why it’s important to develop coping mechanisms to help you deal with stress more effectively.

Certainly, it is paradoxical to relax by doing something you love when you are really stressed out about your course load, which varies according to one’s interest be it gardening, painting, journaling, or hitting some golf balls. What’s important is that you get into a state wherein you’re fully engaged in your activity, which can help lower stress and your heart rate. Connect with your loved ones, too. The better yet, if possible, is to do it face-to-face (or screen-to-screen). You can talk to your partner, friend, or family member whom you trust to help you ground yourself and quell the unfounded fears or anxieties that you’re holding on to. Don’t forget the time spent with your pet!
Studies have proven petting a dog can reduce cortisol, the hormone of stress, and increase levels of oxytocin, which is a feel-good hormone.

It is also helpful to try relaxation techniques that include:
Mindfulness mediation
Progressive muscle relaxation
4-7-8 deep breathing
Guided imagery
Restorative or Yin yoga
Practicing gratitude

6. Find time for downtime and play

You probably have several reasons to better your education at Penn LPS Online. If you want to advance your career, transition to a new field, or follow your intellectual curiosities, it is critical to remember that you still have to make time for yourself. That includes taking time off when you are studying. This is especially true if you are working, have family, and other commitments you can’t let fall by the wayside. The good news is that scheduling time for purposeful breaks may increase your productivity, energy, and ability to focus. You can also try setting up a reward system for meeting your daily priority list for your coursework. Having something to look forward to and celebrating your small victories can have a positive impact on your morale, motivation, and overall happiness. Think about the type of rewards that would best give you an extra lift.

It could be anything from trying out a new restaurant to watching a new movie, viewing a game, or planning your next vacation. Getting into a habit of healthy practices takes effort, but the hardest part is getting started. There will be times when you will stumble and feel like quitting completely. That is when it becomes important to forgive yourself, regain your focus, and get back on track. Recall all that you have done so far, why you are dedicated to earning an Ivy League education, and everything you look forward to in the future as a result.