Paw Print Editor: Brianna Robles
College life is an exciting part of our lives that comes with new experiences but also many challenges along the way as time management is one of our biggest enemies. This is why some advice I have to offer now beginning my first year in the master's program is that a well-structured routine can help you manage your academic responsibilities and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Our college years are meant to be filled with many emotions and of course, there should be time to have fun and enjoy the experience but there are also many key components to building a routine to make sure we are working towards getting our degrees.
The first step of course is prioritizing classes and the amount of time spent studying. Creating a study schedule that aligns with your class schedule is important because unfortunately to get good grades you have to set time aside to study—it is more than just attending class. A great way to be able to manage your time efficiently is by getting a planner or simply just using the calendar app on your phone. College can be overwhelming at times especially if you work, are in a sport, or even are just trying to maintain your social life it can all become too much when you are balancing classes, assignments, and exams. This is where having a planner or a digital calendar to keep track of all your commitments comes in handy and ultimately will become your best friend. This will help you avoid overcommitting and ensure you never miss important deadlines but remember to always include some time for yourself, self-care is very important.
One of the major key components to being able to gain the full college experience is to make sure you are taking care of yourself. At the end of your day, you matter, your mental health matters, and this will help you stay on the right path to being successful. Taking care of your physical and mental health is essential for academic success. Incorporate self-care activities like exercise, meditation, or simply some downtime into your routine. Adequate sleep and a balanced diet are also crucial for maintaining your well-being and help you stay onto of your goals. Something that is significant to a healthy lifestyle and will help you stay motivated is setting some goals for yourself long-term or short-term set a target to reach to keep your motivation high it will help keep your work ethic high as well. Being able to establish clear, achievable goals for both your academic and personal life, these goals will provide direction and motivation for your daily routine. Another way to accomplish these goals is by creating a weekly routine for yourself.
When you begin to follow a weekly routine from going to class, to practice, to studying time whatever it may be it will help ensure you get things done daily. This is also where you can find time to include designated time for chores, grocery shopping, and meal preparation to ensure you have a balanced lifestyle. Something you may also want to consider that will help use your time more efficiently is limiting distractions. On college campuses, there will always be some sort of distraction such as social events or even just getting lost on TikTok for too long this can distract you from your routine and getting things done. If you can identify these distractions and limit them during your study sessions, you will thank yourself later once the weekend comes around and you are free to relax because you got all your assignments done. One tool you should be comfortable with utilizing is asking for help; it is okay at times if you need a little guidance. Don't be afraid to seek support when needed and utilize resources such as tutors, academic advisors, and counseling services to help students succeed. Incorporate visits to these resources into your routine when necessary.
Building a good routine as a college student is a crucial step toward success and a fulfilling college experience. Your routine should strike a balance between academic responsibilities, self-care, and social activities. Remember, your routine should support your goals and aspirations, helping you make the most of this exciting phase in your life.
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