At this point in the semester, it seems like the work never ceases. It appears that when you finish one assignment, you are handed five more, and it piles up to the point where you struggle with managing it all.

However, something that helps get through this busy, stressful time is waking up earlier.

The thought of waking up earlier to do work is generally not something college students want to hear, but with crowded schedules and tons of work, waking up earlier becomes a strong asset in the battle to finish the year. And in addition to adding some time to the day, being a morning person also has many health benefits.

First, being a morning person can help one study more effectively. Studies have shown that people who wake up earlier are more proactive, are happier and perform better in school.

According to a 2010 study featured in the Harvard Business Review by biologist Christoph Randler, “Defend Your Research: The Early Bird Really Does Get the Worm,” he concluded that out of 367 studied individuals, morning people in the study were more proactive individuals. Randler reported people saying, “I spend time identifying long-range goals for myself” and “I feel in charge of making things happen.”

Just by waking up earlier, you can improve your proactiveness and create an inherent desire to succeed.

Another 2012 study titled “Happy as a Lark: Morning-Type Younger and Older Adults Are Higher in Positive Affect” by Renee Biss from the University of Toronto, measured mood changes when becoming a morning person. Biss concluded after studying 700 individuals that being a morning person, which includes waking up naturally at around 7 a.m., is associated with a 19-25 percent increase in feelings of positivity and happiness.

Therefore, being a morning person gives you a mood boost and makes you more alert. Getting going at an earlier time can improve your outlook on life and make you more alert to focus on your studies.

Overall, the benefits of becoming a morning person are overwhelmingly positive, but it is not always an easy feat to accomplish. So, here are some simple tips to start your journey to becoming a morning person:

Set an alarm at least 30 minutes before you plan to get up. This step will trigger your subconscious to wake up and make you feel more refreshed, because you will be gradually waking up rather than setting an alarm for the last minute and having to jump out of bed and run to class. Another tip for alarms is, rather than keeping the monotonous beeping noise as an alarm tone, play a favorite song or radio station instead. This will start the morning off on a positive note and will make you more willing to get up and move around.

Other great tips for becoming a morning person include planning a healthy and balanced breakfast and organizing a morning routine. If you are someone who enjoys food, waking up earlier and telling yourself that you are going to have a large bowl of oatmeal or an omelet can help you feel more motivated to get out of bed. It gives you something to look forward to and it allows more time to sit, relax and actually enjoy your meal.

Also keep in mind that waking up earlier for classes guarantees a shorter line for normally busy dining hall choices, such as the omelet bar.

Try drinking a glass of water as soon as you get up as well. Cool water can be a refreshing start to the morning and it starts your hydration for the day on the right foot.

It’s also helpful to set up a morning routine that you can look forward to and stick to every day. This can be anything from laying out a cute outfit that you are excited to wear to watching some early morning Netflix. Feeling excited about an outfit, a television show, food, coffee or exercise will make your attitude about waking up a more positive one.

Becoming a morning person is great for your health and is extremely beneficial in the final weeks of the semester. It is not an easy task, but incorporating little attributes into your routine will make you more likely to want to get up and start your day.

The more you motivate yourself to get up early and start your day, the more likely it will become a habit. Baby steps will help you with this process, and before you know it, you will be waking up earlier and feeling more refreshed.

Marissa Vertes can be reached at [email protected].