Routines can play a major role in our lives as college students. Are you looking to create a new routine so you can rock a new semester? A routine that serves you well is one that brings satisfaction and enjoyment to your day.
Here are 3 simple steps to structure a routine that serves you best:
Step 1: What do you want your day to feel like?
Every person’s routine is unique to them because we all have different priorities.
Before writing a three page to-do list of everything that needs to be done each day, instead think about what you want your day to feel like.
I use the word “feel” because thinking about how you want to feel in your day can serve as the backbone for how you build a routine that ultimately benefits your needs.
Sure, you might have a job you don’t totally love, a cranky roommate, and some school projects that don’t bring you joy, but how can you arrange your day with pockets of peace, rest, and fun?
Take this time to think about what feelings are important for you as a college student with a jam-packed schedule? Do you want a day full of optimism, gratitude, excitement, joyfulness, etc.? If so, keep on reading!
Step 2: Your feelings decide your actions
Thinking about your feelings helps you figure out your daily habits and goals. So, being in touch with your feelings should do the “planning” for you. If you know how you want to feel throughout the day, trust your gut and let it guide you each day.
If you want to feel empowered, think about what action makes you feel that way?
- Starting the day with joyful movement
- Calling your mom or friend to give you a pep-talk
- Journaling with your favorite beverage in hand
- Saying daily affirmations in mirror when you wake up
- Meditation or prayer to clear your mind from stress
Schedule these things into your day. This may require cutting back on something else (like social media…ugh). Or, it may mean you need to take something that needs to get done (like laundry) and figure out a way to make it fun (doing laundry with a friend), or multi-tasking (taking a walk or doing yoga between loads).
Step 3: Reevaluate your routine and adjust accordingly
Finding the right routine is an experiment. Keep asking yourself if your routine is working yo.
For example, are you getting out of bed early enough to experience more ease and relaxation in the morning? Or do you need a new wake-up time to not be running late, which means maybe an earlier bedtime?
Are you scheduling in adequate self-care time, homework time, and activity time? Remember it is still important to make time for your favorite hobbies and people while in college.
If your routine seems off, just keep experimenting until you find the right schedule that meets your needs. Find a rhythm that creates the college experience you dreamed of.