Dental hygiene and therapy student Tina Bhardwaj explains how she starts the day and why a routine helps set you up for success at dental school.
Before I had a proper morning routine, I’d wake up feeling groggy, scroll on my phone and rush through the start of my day without much thought.
However, over time, I’ve come to realise the way I spend my mornings altogether shapes how the rest of my day goes, especially as a dental student.
By having such a busy schedule filled with clinics, lectures and revision it is so easy to feel overwhelmed; but by setting the right intentions for the day it makes all the difference. Throughout my experience at university, I’ve been able to build a routine which helps me feel refreshed and ready to take on the day as a second year dental student.
Many people assume a morning routine needs to be perfect. However to me, it’s about creating habits which make you feel prepared for the day ahead. So, let’s delve into how I spend my mornings.
My step-by-step morning routine
8:00am – waking up and feeling refreshed
Waking up early in the morning isn’t always easy. I know we all feel the same when we just want to hit the snooze button and sleep in a little longer. However, I’ve come to realise that the hardest part is simply just getting out of bed.
Once I’ve freshened up, brushed my teeth and washed my face, I feel a lot more ready to start my day.
8:15am – journalling and setting my intentions for the day
Taking a few moments to write down what I’m grateful for and setting positive affirmations has made a huge difference in my mindset. Some days, my gratitude for the day can be as simple as, ‘having a great breakfast’, ‘the weather being nice and warm’ or something a little deeper.
In doing so, it allows me to organise my thoughts and focus on the positive aspects of my days rather than overthinking. I use the journal ‘The six-minute diary’ and have been using it for a couple of years. I love how the pages are laid out, as they allow me to focus on what I want to accomplish each day and on the things I’m grateful for. In the evening, I can reflect on these and be thankful for the intentions I’ve set and the progress I’ve made throughout the day.
8:30am – breakfast every day
I always have a nourishing breakfast that gives me the energy I need to stay focused for the rest of the day. Recently, for busy mornings when I have university, I usually have some golden syrup porridge with fruit in the mornings. However, on days when I have a bit more time, I love to sit down with some toast and a nice cup of tea.
9am – going to the gym
Going to the gym in the mornings has been a real game-changer for me as it gives me a boost of energy and clears my mind of anything I’m carrying with me. I used to delay going to the gym till the afternoon so I could lie in a little longer, but that would end up with me feeling too drained to go.
On the days I don’t go to the gym, I always try to go on a walk as it serves as a positive influence on the rest of my day – especially a busy one.
10am – refresh and get ready to be productive!
After the gym, I come back and have a nice warm shower, and I make myself a yoghurt bowl with granola and honey to keep me going and refuel myself.
By this time, I feel like I’ve accomplished so much of my day already and it’s only just started.
10:30am – planning my day
To keep myself organised, at the start of each week, I create a to-do list and plan out the tasks I need to complete for the week. I’ve figured out that, without a to-do list I usually waste a lot of time trying to figure out what to do and overthinking my tasks of the day.
By having a simple, structured list it keeps me focused, which is key in dental school, especially with the workload.
11am – change of scenery
I try not to stay in the same space, for example, my room, as it can feel draining, and I usually associate my room with resting and re-energising.
I love to head to a cafe, thus changing up my environment, and helping me stay focused. I also love to take walks around the docks, as fresh air helps me clear my mind after a revision session and lets me feel a sense of accomplishment for the day.
Why does this routine work for me?
This routine has worked best for me because:
- Let’s me start my day with the right intentions
- It helps me prioritise my well-being and manage my time effectively
- I’m able to maintain the discipline to improve every day.
As a dental student, my days come with variability such as early morning lectures and clinics, so it isn’t always possible to follow the same routine.
However, I’ve come to realise consistency is key and if I have a foundation for the morning, I feel more prepared for what the day brings. If you’re struggling to navigate your morning routine as a dental student, my best advice is to start with smaller steps. Whether it’s setting aside five minutes to journal, or simply just waking up on time.
Eventually, those habits will start to build over time and a routine will unfold that suits you best.
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