College life can get chaotic. You have classes to attend, assignments to complete, and exams to study. On top of your academic work, you are expected to be involved in campus life and maintain your friendships and relationships, all while taking care of your mental health and well-being. In all of the running, students forget to prioritize their well-being. There are many ways to ease some of the stress that comes with your student responsibilities. This article will focus on routines as a method for sorting out chaos.
Setting a routine in high school seemed so simple. Day-to-day tasks did not change frequently. However, the ever-changing college schedule does not mean you cannot have a routine. The following information will include suggestions. It is important that you create a routine based on your specific schedule and responsibilities.
Bedtime Routines
Having a bedtime routine changed my life. It also changed how I functioned as a student. Before I had an established bedtime routine, I was all over the place. Some nights I fell asleep early. Other nights, I went to sleep at midnight because I could not put my phone down. It caused restlessness, and my body was confused. Planning the hour before you go to bed can lead to better sleep.
It is never too late to get into a bedtime routine. You may have heard your guardians reference a bedtime routine often when you were younger. It is just as important now that you are a college student. The key to your routine is a set bedtime. This consistency will help you to schedule the rest of your tasks. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease and Control Prevention), adults need at least seven hours of sleep per 24 hours ("How Much Sleep Do I Need," 2022). You will want to calculate your bedtime based on what time you need to wake up in the morning.
What you do before going to bed is entirely up to you. There are things you should avoid, however, such as being on your phone. I begin my bedtime routine by setting out my clothes for the morning and packing my bag and lunch. Preparation helps save me time and stress in the morning. The Sleep Foundation advises adults to spend this time carrying out relaxing activities that calm the mind and gets their body ready for sleep ("How to Build a Better Bedtime Routine for Adults," 2023). Relaxing may look like reading a book or journaling. Do whatever helps you relax and unwind!
Morning Routines
Hopefully, you got the suggested seven hours of sleep or more, and your bedtime routine has you waking up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed as you get ready to begin your day. Waking up should not be a drag. Morning routines can reduce stress, develop healthy habits, and boost your energy! How you spend your morning can determine the flow of your entire day, making a morning routine more necessary.
Avoid hitting that snooze button.
Snoozing your alarm eliminates your time to prepare for practice, class, or work. Try to turn off your alarm and get out of bed without immediately checking all of your notifications. Getting on your phone immediately limits your productivity and can waste time. Instead, do something that will wake you up, like taking a shower or washing your face. Many prefer a quick workout or a walk around the neighborhood before heading to their classes. Most importantly, remember to eat a good breakfast that will fuel your body until lunchtime.Utilize Extra Time
There is often a period of time in your day that feels awkward, and you aren't quite sure how to use it. There may be a gap between classes or your last class and dinner. It is tempting to go straight home to lie down and scroll on TikTok or Instagram. However, this time should be utilized and included in your routine. It is the perfect time to hit the library and squeeze in an hour of work and studying. Studying is another opportunity to begin a routine that assures time is well spent. For example, you could spend 20 minutes reading, 20 writing, and 20 reviewing essential materials such as notes or PowerPoints. Customize this according to your workload and study preferences.
An alternative option to utilizing extra time is to use it to complete tasks that are not typically routine. Sometimes things come up that we had not planned for and need to be done. This extra time is great for completing them without interfering with routine tasks. No one will have a perfectly set schedule where they do the same thing every day. That would get old very quickly.
Following a routine often reduces the stress experienced in attempting to complete tasks. It takes time to get into a routine, but it will eventually be a natural occurrence as your body begins to recognize these habits. Good routines can lead to positive changes in all areas of your life as the uncertainty of what is to come decreases. If you are someone who suffers from anxiety, a routine has the potential to be very beneficial. Remember that. You are in control of your day-if you feel out of control, a routine can help you regain it.
