The correct way to use snooze

I don’t take advantage of the true purpose of the snooze button. The way I understand it, the snooze is for those who need that extra 9 or so minutes to lay there and prepare to step out of bed (me). That makes sense. But what do I do? I completely go back to sleep. I even set my alarm early, knowing I’m going to hit the snooze button and go back to sleep. Often, when I finally do wake up, I’m more tired than I was in the first place.

I leave for work at 7:25 AM. In my usual routine, I get up at 5:30-ish AM and go to the gym. However, lately I’ve been up until after 2:00 AM doing homework and such, and have been unable to make it. Despite all that, let’s say I plan to be at the gym by 6:00 AM. I will intentionally set my clock about 10-13 minutes fast (even though this has never once fooled me that I’m running late), and intentionally set my alarm so I’m able to hit snooze about 3 times before I have to get up. So for a 6:00 AM arrival at the gym, my alarm would probably go off at 5:31 AM (which is really like 5:19 AM). Then I hit snooze 3 or so times before getting up. It’s ridiculous. Honestly, I think I’d like to set it for 5:47 AM (real time), brush my teeth and leave—but I can’t do it. It’s like an addiction. I used to be one of those people who would debate setting an alarm on a day off, just so I can turn it off and not get up. I value sleep, but I don’t sleep as much as I value it. It’s my fault, but I need baby steps. Maybe if I could settle for one snooze and use it correctly, that extra 20-30 minutes each morning where I’m intermittently waking up would make me feel better throughout the day. I just need to learn how to use snooze correctly.