The alarm clock’s cry pierces the quiet morning air. Groaning, a sleepy student rolls over and hits the snooze button for another few precious minutes of slumber. Meanwhile, across town, a teacher is already up, sipping coffee and planning the day’s lessons. As the sun begins to rise, both are gearing up for a new day of learning and teaching. What, exactly, goes into their morning routines?
Sophomore Esther Estrella Santana-Flores said she starts her day off at 6 a.m. with a set routine. “First I get up and then I brush my teeth, put on my eyeliner then finish my makeup and put on my clothes,” she said. “Then I do my hair, wait for my sister to get me and drive her to school.” Many people find breakfast to be an important part of their day, but Santana-Flores said that’s not part of her routine. “I don’t eat breakfast because honestly I do better without it.”
Sophomore Mykole Warbelton’s routine is similar. However, Warbelton wakes up at a much earlier time. “I usually wake up at 5 a.m. so I get more time to get ready.” Much like Santana-Flores, Warbelton said she also skips breakfast.
“No, I don’t eat breakfast because I don’t think it’s really important, and it takes a lot of time,” she said.
Looking through the lens of an educator’s perspective, Spanish teacher Robin Marlowe said she starts her day off at 5 a.m. by taking her vitamins and feeding her cat; she then walks for 30 minutes in her basement or backyard.
When she finishes walking, she said she packs her lunch and her backpack. Unlike sophomores Santana-Flores and Warbelton, Marlowe makes breakfast.
“Breakfast is important for me, but some people argue that it’s not.” Marlowe said she usually makes eggs or other light foods to fuel her day. After breakfast, she completes chores such as washing the dishes or mopping. Lastly, she said she applies her makeup and gets dressed. When asked if she is ever late to school, she said, “I’m not late. I don’t think I’ve ever been late, but if I was, it would have been because of the weather.”
Sophomore William Rodriguez Rosales has a productive routine as well. Rodriguez said he starts his day off at 5:40 a.m. by heading to the bathroom, brushing his teeth, washing his face and completing his skincare routine.
He said he then goes to wake his little sister and gets ready himself by doing his hair. He walks his dog, makes his bed, packs his bag and waits for everyone else to get ready. As for his clothing, “I pick my outfit the day of just because I’m a procrastinator.”
Student or staff, everyone has their own methods of taking on the day with energy.
