With the start of a new school year comes something I am truly terrible at– waking up.

I mean, everyone hates it. No one actually wants to get up for school. I, however, take not being a morning person to a whole new level. I have, on more than one occasion, actually hit people who have tried to wake me up in the morning. Because I’m sure I’m not the only person at our school who dreads mornings more than the end of the world, I’ve decided to share my wisdom with 5 things to help you try- emphasis on try-to be a morning person.

1. Give yourself something to get up for

Whether it’s a new outfit you’re excited to wear or your favorite kind of pancakes, having something that makes your morning just a little bit brighter always helps. My personal favorite is making waffles the night before to put in the toaster in the morning. Who can resist waffles?!

2. Put your alarm clock out of reach

It’s probably the one thing guaranteed to get you out of bed in the morning. If you have to choose between getting up to turn your alarm off and laying there listening to it go off incessantly, you’ll get up. If you put your alarm near your light, then you’re already there to turn it on and start your day. You just have to have a little bit more willpower than I do, so that you don’t get up, turn it off, and get right back in bed.

3. Coffee

Apparently, lots of people really like this stuff, and they say it wakes you up. Personally, I can’t stand the taste and would rather be an exhausted zombie all day. But that’s just me.

4. Have your stuff ready the night before

Now, this might not exactly be something that helps you get up in the morning, but it does mean you don’t have to get up as early. That’s exactly what everyone who’s not a morning person wants!

5. Put some warm clothes by your bed

One of the worst parts about getting up in the morning, especially during the winter, is how cold it is. If you have warm clothes, like a hoodie, to throw on right when you get up, then you’ll stay comfy, cozy, and warm as you get ready for school.

Now, I’m not saying doing these things will instantly make you a morning person. You’re either a morning person or you’re not– there’s really no changing that. But from one non-morning person to all the non-morning people reading this, try it. I mean, it can’t make getting up in the morning any worse than it already is.