Oh No… I Just Can’t Wake Up Early!

- Tell Me 

- What to Do!

H i, I'm a 15-year-old schoolboy from Vadodara, currently studying in Standard 10.

My biggest problem right now is that I just can't wake up early in the morning.

Every day, I set my alarm for 4:30 a.m., but somehow I always end up waking at 6:30 a.m. I know that 6:30 is still considered early for many people, but I feel it's not good enough for a Class 10 student like me who needs extra time to study and revise.

My second problem is the social pressure I face when it comes to studies.

Just like that boy Aryan (whom I recently heard about last week), I also feel misunderstood at home. My family doesn't allow me to use my mobile phone for more than 15 minutes at a time. They think I'll waste time, but they don't realize that I actually use it for study purposes - like watching educational videos on YouTube or using ChatGPT to clear my doubts. Pls help!

- Mahimna 

(Baroda) 

Hey Sleepy Scholar from Vadodara,

First of all - big salute for aiming for a 4:30 a.m. alarm! That's basically ninja monk level stuff. But let's be real - even half the adults who set that alarm hit snooze harder than they hit the gym. So, don't beat yourself up. Waking up at 6:30 is still early, especially when most teens are having their third dream by then.

Here's a game plan for your early morning mission:

Shift your goal: Try waking up at 5:30 first, not 4:30. It's easier to stick to small wins. Once 5:30 becomes a habit, you can shift earlier in baby steps.

Sleep math matters: 

If you're sleeping at 11 or 12, 4:30 is a sleep-deprived nightmare. Try to get 7 to 8 hours of solid sleep. That means lights out by 9:30-10:00 if you're aiming for a 5:30 wake-up.

Make it fun: Place your alarm far from the bed and set it to play a ridiculously upbeat song. The more annoying, the better. Something that makes you jump out of bed.

Plan something cool for the morning: A small ritual - like listening to music for 5 minutes, or making your own chai - can trick your brain into enjoying mornings.

Now, about the mobile issue…

You're right - phones aren't just time-wasters. They're also mini-classrooms (when used smartly). But from your parents' point of view, it probably looks like a rabbit hole of reels. So here's what you can do:

Make a study deal: Sit down with them and ask for a fixed study screen-time slot - like 45 minutes in the evening - just for YouTube, ChatGPT, or study apps. Show them the videos you watch or the questions you ask - they'll slowly start trusting your purpose.

Start a "study log": Just a notebook where you write down what you learnt through your phone each day. This turns your mobile into an open book - and your parents into teammates, not timekeepers.

Last thing - Class 10 is important, sure. But don't let pressure crush your spark. You're trying, and that counts a lot. Don't chase perfection, chase progress. You're already way ahead of the average because you care. So take a deep breath - you got this. 

Catch you on the brighter (and maybe earlier) side!

Uncle Fix-It