The Early Bird Catches the Worm by adrianna

The Early Bird Catches the Worm by adrianna - January 2019 Scholarship Essay

Over time, I’ve grown accustomed to the puzzled looks and the many questions that typically follow after I tell someone that I’m a morning person. As a twenty-two year old college student, the fact that I genuinely look forward to waking up at dawn instead of sleeping my mornings away strikes most people as being quite bizarre. I’m frequently asked how I’m able to be a functional, happy human being at such an early hour. Or why I chose to wake up at this time, even on the days where I have nowhere to be. To the majority of people, this routine seems like some kind of sorcery. But in this essay, I will explain why I truly enjoy being a morning person and how it been incredibly beneficial in various aspects of my life.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always loved the feeling of getting up in the early morning hours while the rest of the world is still asleep. In my opinion, there’s a certain kind of peace and tranquility that simply cannot be replicated at any other time of the day. Without noise from the hustle and bustle of outside traffic, or from your roomates frantically running around the house getting ready- you get to experience a unique sense of stillness that provides true relaxation. There are also many simple pleasures that can only be experienced in the morning that bring a smile to my face- like listening to the birds gently sing or watching the sunrise. As many of us know, everyday life can and often will bring some level of stress. I cherish waking up early in the morning because it allows me to experience a brief but peaceful time before being thrown back into the chaos of everyday life. I can leisurely enjoy a cup of coffee, listen to the sound of stillness, and more importantly- I have the opportunity to clear my head and go into each day feeling refreshed and ready conquer whatever it brings. Regardless of whether or not you’re a morning person, I firmly believe that having a clear headspace allows you to be much more productive and happy.

Personally, mornings are leave me feeling rejuvenated and motivated to check tasks of my do do list. I get the chance to get ahead of the game and chip away at projects that I may not have time to complete during the day. Many people will argue that I could just do these tasks at night instead. But when the day is over and nighttime rolls around, my energy levels naturally start to dwindle- which I believe that most people can relate to. Not to mention, getting your priorities out of the way in the morning leaves you with the rest of the day to spend however you please. Additionally, being a morning person has given me extra time to take care of myself. This entails hitting the gym, practicing some of my hobbies, or doing other self-care rituals that I may not have the time for later in the day. I’m a firm believer that taking care of your body plays an essential role in being productive in other areas of your life.

Finally, the last reason why I believe I’m so productive in the morning is because I’ve developed a healthy sleeping routine that involves going to sleep at a reasonable hour, and then waking up early. Now that my body is adjusted to this routine, my sleep cycles are far more predictable. Science has proved time and time again that sticking to healthy sleeping patterns and getting at least eight hours of sleep has numerous benefits for the body and mind. When I wake up early in the morning, I’m not only able to be productive simply because i'm a morning person- but because I’ve adopted a very healthy sleep schedule. On the rare occasion that I go to sleep later or something wakes me in the middle of the night and disrupts this schedule, I can clearly feel the negative effects and lack of productivity the following day.

Overall, I believe that being a morning person has greatly benefited me both physically and mentally. Instead of dreading getting up early like most people do, I look forward to it and feel excited about all of the things I’m able to accomplish during the early morning hours. Although everyone has a unique preference of what time of the day works best for them in terms of productivity, I will always stand by being a morning person due to all of the great things it's done for me personally.