Having a daily routine is one of the most important habits that a student should develop. This blog post provides a complete guide for students who want to develop a realistic and effective daily routine.
Without further ado, let’s get started.
What is a daily routine?
A daily routine is a series of activities or tasks that a person repeats regularly, usually every day. It helps to plan and organize one’s day, increasing productivity, efficiency, and overall well-being. The daily routines of students vary greatly based on their interests, lifestyle, school schedule, and personal goals.
What are the benefits of a daily routine for a student?
1. Time Management: Having a daily routine helps students manage their time with greater effectiveness. A fixed plan allows you to prioritize tasks such as studying, attending classes, completing assignments, and taking part in extracurricular activities.
2. Consistency: Creating routines promotes a sense of stability and predictability. This can lessen tension and worry because students know what to expect every day. Consistency is especially important during test seasons or when facing deadlines.
3. Increased Focus and Productivity: An organized routine encourages students to remain focused on their tasks. Knowing when and where to study can improve concentration, resulting in more productivity and improved learning outcomes.
4. Improved sleep patterns: A steady daily routine of a student encourages healthy sleeping patterns. Adequate and consistent sleep is critical for cognitive function, memory consolidation, and overall health. Students who stick to a routine are more likely to have a good sleep schedule.
5. Reduced procrastination: Students can create excellent habits and minimize procrastination by sticking to a consistent routine. Knowing that each activity has a specific time limit helps them to finish assignments on time.
6. A Balanced Lifestyle: A well-organized routine enables students to reconcile academic commitments with other elements of their lives, such as socializing, hobbies, exercise, and relaxation. This equilibrium promotes total mental and emotional well-being.
7. Stress Reduction: A regular routine decreases ambiguity and instability in a student’s life, which can help to relieve stress. When students understand what to expect and have a strategy in place, they are more prepared to face problems.
8. Increased Self-Discipline: Maintaining a routine necessitates discipline and self-control. Students get significant skills that will benefit them not just academically but also professionally.
9. Goal Achievement: A daily routine of a student can be created to support specific aims. Breaking down larger work into smaller, achievable steps within the routine helps students progress toward their goals.
10. Improved Health and Well-Being: A balanced routine that includes physical activity, nutritious meals, and relaxation benefits general health and well-being. Regular exercise and breaks can help you feel more energized and less tired.
Read also: 10 Habits of a Successful Student
Morning Routine
Your day starts in the morning. Doing the right things from when you wake up will either set your day for success or failure.
Here is a guide for your morning routine:
Wake up early
Getting up early allows you to start your day calmly and without haste. Ideally, you should get up between 6 and 7 a.m. But this depends on the time you go to bed. To wake up early, you must go to bed early to ensure adequate sleep.
Waking up early when you haven’t gotten enough sleep will make you exhausted all day. You will have low energy, and your day will be unsuccessful. Aim for eight to nine hours of sleep. As a college student, anything less than 7 hours of sleep may not be adequate.
According to the Sleep Foundation, waking up early can improve your mental health, physical health, and overall performance throughout the day.
Don’t touch your phone
Phones have become our primary source of distraction. Even before leaving our beds, we check our phones and spend a long time browsing.
You don’t want this if you want your daily routine to be steady and unbroken. Make sure you do anything else first thing in the morning before reaching for your phone. Ideally, place your phone somewhere out of reach in the morning. You can keep it in the living room, kitchen, or on the far side of the bedroom.
As students, we often rely on our phones as alarms. In this situation, keep your phone in the bedroom and as far away from your bed as possible so that when you wake up in the morning, the first thing closer to you than your phone is something useful or healthy. Take a glass of water, for example.
Hydrate
You may wake up slightly dehydrated after sleeping for 8-9 hours. You can easily detect this in your urine. Morning urine is darker due to dehydration. Your mouth may also feel dry.
Drinking a glass of water as soon as you wake up will help rehydrate your body. Additionally, it will:
- Remove toxins
- Reduce calorie intake throughout the day by giving a feeling of being full
- Improve mental health by enhancing blood circulation and increasing alertness
- Improve your metabolism
Many people might not feel thirsty early in the morning. In that case, simply take a little glass of water, even half a glass. In colder climates, this may be plenty to begin the day.
Exercise
The next step after getting up and drinking a glass of water is to exercise. The amount of time you spend exercising will vary depending on the type of activity you choose. However, regardless of how light the activity is, it is necessary.
If you haven’t signed up for a gym membership, you can still practice some workouts in your bedroom.
Here are some exercises you can do:
- Jumping Jacks
- Stand with your feet together and arms at your sides.
- Jump while spreading your legs and raising your arms overhead.
- Return to the starting position and repeat.
- Bodyweight Squats
- Stand with feet shoulder-width apart.
- Lower your body by bending your knees and pushing your hips back as if you’re sitting in a chair.
- Keep your chest up and back straight.
- Push-Ups
- Start in a plank position with your hands shoulder-width apart.
- Lower your body towards the floor by bending your elbows.
- Push back up to the starting position.
- Lunges
- Step forward with one leg, lowering your hips until both knees are bent at a 90-degree angle.
- Push off the front foot to return to the starting position.
- Repeat on the other leg.
- Plank
- Get into a plank position with your forearms on the ground.
- Keep your body in a straight line from head to heels, engaging your core.
- Mountain Climbers
- Start in a plank position.
- Bring one knee toward your chest, then quickly switch legs as if you’re “climbing.”
- Leg Raises
- Lie on your back with your hands under your hips.
- Lift your legs towards the ceiling, keeping them straight, and then lower them back down without letting them touch the floor.
- Burpees
- Start in a standing position.
- Drop into a squat position, kick your feet back into a plank, perform a push-up, bring your feet back to the squat position, and jump up.
- Yoga or Stretching Routine
- Include poses like downward dog, child’s pose, and sun salutations to improve flexibility and relax your body.
You don’t have to complete them all in one day, especially if you’re just getting started. You can start mild and gradually increase the intensity and duration as your body grows adjusted to it.
If you have a gym membership, your exercise time may be more extensive, depending on the type of workout you choose. However, it will have no significant effect on the rest of your morning routine.
Meditate or practice mindfulness
Morning meditation should be part of the daily routine of a student because it is an effective way to improve physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which improves mood, increases alertness, decreases concern, and prevents stress and anxiety. It also enhances focus and memory by eliminating distractions.
Beginning the day with a sense of peace, balance, and thankfulness can have a good impact on subsequent encounters, decisions, and actions.
To increase the effectiveness of morning meditation, set aside a few minutes each morning to practice techniques such as mindfulness, mantra, breathing, or guided meditation. Find a peaceful, comfortable area, make an intention, use a timer or an app, and be kind and patient with yourself. This exercise can enhance your interactions, decisions, and behaviors throughout the day.
College can be demanding and, on occasion, bothersome. Starting your day with meditation will provide you with the mental clarity required to make wise decisions under stress and pressure.
Bathroom activities
Being fresh and clean should always be part of the daily routine of a student. Your personal hygiene habits can also have an impact on your day. Showering in the morning wakes you up. When you get out of bed, you don’t really wake up. You’re still drowsy, but after showering, you feel refreshed and rejuvenated. Furthermore, showering with cold water can raise your pulse rate, improving blood flow. This can be performed little by little as it is really hard for most individuals.
Maintain proper oral hygiene, shower thoroughly with healthy products, and wash your face. Prepare clean clothing to wear to school or at home and make sure they smell decent.
Healthy breakfast
Breakfast is an extremely important meal of the day. Whether to exercise before or after breakfast is determined by the intensity and goal of the activity, as well as what works best for each individual. Start with either workout or breakfast.
Breakfast should be wholesome and nutritious. Consume a balanced breakfast consisting of protein, whole grains, and fruits or vegetables. A healthy breakfast offers energy for the day’s activities while also improving cognitive performance.
Some students skip breakfast as part of their regular routine due to time constraints. But this should be avoided. When you get up at a fair hour, you can prepare some quick breakfast options.
Take the following for example:
1. Overnight Oats
Combine rolled oats with milk (or a dairy-free alternative) and your favorite toppings like berries, nuts, and a drizzle of honey. Let it sit in the refrigerator overnight, and it’s ready to eat in the morning.
2. Greek Yogurt Parfait
Layer Greek yogurt with granola, fresh fruits (such as berries or sliced banana), and a sprinkle of seeds (like chia or flaxseed) for a protein-packed and satisfying breakfast.
3. Avocado Toast
Spread mashed avocado on whole-grain toast and top it with a sprinkle of salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. You can add a poached or fried egg on top for extra protein.
4. Smoothie Bowl
Blend your favorite fruits, greens (like spinach or kale), and a liquid base (such as almond milk or yogurt) to create a thick smoothie. Pour it into a bowl and top with granola, sliced fruits, and nuts.
5. Egg Muffins
Whisk eggs and pour them into a muffin tin. Add chopped vegetables, cheese, and herbs. Bake until set for quick and portable egg muffins.
6. Peanut Butter Banana Wrap
Spread peanut butter on a whole-grain tortilla, add sliced bananas, and fold it into a wrap. It’s a simple, nutritious, and portable option.
7. Chia Seed Pudding
Mix chia seeds with milk (or a plant-based alternative) and let it sit in the refrigerator until it thickens. Top it with fresh fruit or nuts before eating.
8. Whole Grain Cereal with Fruit
Choose a whole-grain cereal and pair it with milk or yogurt. Add fresh or dried fruit for extra flavor and nutrients.
9. Cottage Cheese with Pineapple
Mix cottage cheese with fresh pineapple chunks for a protein-rich and refreshing breakfast.
10. Breakfast Burrito
Fill a whole-grain tortilla with scrambled eggs, black beans, diced vegetables, and a sprinkle of cheese. Roll it up for a satisfying and portable breakfast.
Begin the day
After breakfast, you can begin your day. Your day will be structured around your class schedule. How many lectures do you have each day? When do they start? How long is a lecture? What is the interval between lectures? All of this will determine your everyday schedule. Understand your class schedule and arrange your routine so that you can easily mix school and social life.
Assess the work of the day
New tasks will arise during the day that are not part of your typical daily routine. As a result, you have to assess your day every other morning to ensure that each day is allocated the appropriate amount and intensity of work.
Assignments, upcoming tests, field trips, and other critical tasks that come from time to time will not be part of your everyday routine, yet they are so important that you cannot simply disregard them.
Make sure to review your day to identify the most important and time-sensitive tasks, as well as the easiest things that you can complete without feeling pressured. Tests and field trips are both important and time-sensitive. You must give them top importance in your daily plan.
Create a to-do list
You have to have a to-do list every day so that your day is arranged and predictable.
To-do lists are important because they can help you organize your tasks, reduce your stress, and achieve your goals. According to some experts, there are three main reasons why people love to-do lists:
- They dampen anxiety about the chaos of life by giving you a structure and a plan to follow.
- They are proof of what you have accomplished and what you still need to do.
- They help you focus on other areas of your work or life by freeing your mind from constantly reminding yourself of unfinished tasks.
To make your to-do lists more effective, you should:
- Write down specific and realistic actions that you can complete in a reasonable time frame.
- Prioritize your tasks based on their urgency and importance.
- Review and update your list regularly to track your progress and adjust your plans
This is what your to-do list could look like:
Daily Routine for a Student Time-Blocked To-Do List
- Morning Routine
- 7:00 AM – Wake up
- 7:15 AM – Shower and get dressed
- 7:30 AM – Eat a healthy breakfast
- 8:00 AM – Review your schedule for the day
- Classes and Study Time
- 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM – Attend specific class
- 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM – Take detailed notes during specific class
- 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Study session for subject 1
- 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM – Study session for subject 2
- 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM – Review class notes and complete assignments
- Work and Part-Time Job
- 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM – Work on specific tasks or projects for a specific number of hours
- 10:00 PM – Complete any work-related assignments
- 10:30 PM – Prioritize tasks based on deadlines
- Health and Well-being
- 11:00 PM – 11:15 PM – Take a break and stretch
- 12:30 PM – Eat a balanced lunch
- 3:00 PM – Take a short exercise break
- 10:30 PM – Start winding down for bedtime
- Social and Personal Time
- 4:00 PM – Connect with friends and family
- 5:30 PM – Engage in social activities or clubs
- 8:00 PM – Spend time on hobbies or relaxation
- 9:30 PM – Set aside time for personal reflection
- Organizational Tasks
- 10:00 AM – Review and update your calendar
- 12:00 PM – Make a to-do list for the day
- 4:30 PM – Check and respond to emails
- 6:30 PM – Organize study materials and notes
- Long-Term Planning
- 8:30 PM – Review upcoming assignments and exams
- 9:30 PM – Plan for future projects and deadlines
- 10:00 PM – Set long-term academic and personal goals
- Financial Management
- 1:30 PM – Check your bank account and budget
- 7:30 PM – Pay bills or set reminders for due dates
- 8:30 PM – Evaluate and adjust your spending plan as needed
- Self-Care
- 2:30 PM – Practice mindfulness or meditation
- 6:00 PM – Take short breaks for relaxation
- 9:00 PM – Identify and address stressors proactively
- Reading a book, watching a movie or bedtime.
As you can see, this is not specifically practical for everyone. The purpose is to give you a rough idea of what a to-do list looks like.
Read also: Things to Do At the Beginning of the Semester
Start working
After making your to-do list, you must get to work. Your to-do list does not have to follow the model I gave. That is simply a basic outline of what your to-do list could look like. However, you can customize your to-do list to fit your class timetable.
Review the lecture notes you’re attending
Depending on your school calendar, you should wake up at a time that allows you to complete the morning activities while also having time to examine the lecture notes before the lecture.
examining lecture notes before attending the lecture will help you pay attention during the presentation since you will know what the lecture is about and will be seeking for answers to questions you may not have fully grasped while examining the notes.
This will assist you in gaining a thorough understanding, retaining information, and recalling it quickly.
Attend the Lectures
If you want to do well in school, you must attend lectures. Attend as many lectures as you can. Just because you examined the notes before the lectures does not imply that you comprehend the concepts in them.
Study after Lectures
Start with the most important task
Starting with your most important work is critical for completing your to-do list because you have a lot of energy at the start of the day, which will gradually decline as the day progresses.
If you begin with the most critical task, it will match your energy level. As you get fatigued, the remaining tasks on your to-do list will become less demanding, making them easier to complete.
Take Breaks
Not to make your work feel like a burden or prison, you need to take breaks. Take breaks is essential to recharging your brain for more work. I recommend using the Pomodoro Technique. Break your work down into small chunks of 25 minutes of work and 5 minutes of break. Breaking it down into small chunks will reduce the overwhelming nature of your study session, and taking breaks will reduce fatigue.
Socialize
As they said, work without play makes Jack a dull boy. You need a social life included in your study schedule. Go out with friends, go watch a game. If you can play any game, go out and play one.
Socializing can also have the following benefits according to experts:
- It can improve their communication, interpersonal, and teamwork skills, which are useful for future careers and relationships.
- It can enhance their learning and academic performance, as they can exchange ideas, perspectives, and feedback with their peers.
- It can boost their confidence, self-esteem, and resilience, as they can overcome shyness, make friends, and cope with challenges.
- It can support their mental and emotional health, as it can reduce stress, loneliness, and depression, and increase happiness, empathy, and well-being.
Read also: How to Keep New Year’s Resolutions as a Student
Night Routine for a College Student
- Finish any pending assignments or study for upcoming exams.
- Review your schedule and goals for the next day. Write down any important tasks or reminders in a planner or a notebook.
- Relax and unwind with some self-care activities. You can read a book, listen to music, meditate, do yoga, or watch a show.
- Prepare your clothes, backpack, and other essentials for the next day. This will save you time and stress in the morning.
- Brush your teeth, wash your face, and apply any skincare products. Follow a consistent skincare routine to keep your skin healthy and glowing.
- Turn off any electronics and dim the lights. Avoid using your phone, laptop, or TV at least an hour before bed. This will help you fall asleep faster and improve your sleep quality.
- Get into bed and make yourself comfortable. You can use a pillow, a blanket, or a weighted blanket to cozy up.
- Try some breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, or guided imagery to calm your mind and body. You can also use a sleep app or a podcast to listen to soothing sounds or stories.
- Fall asleep and dream of your success. You deserve a good night’s rest after a productive day.
Conclusion
You’ve just finished an incredibly important daily routine. This is not always what you will have to follow throughout the day. You’ll need to tailor it to your own needs. What is key is that you establish a healthy and productive schedule similar to this one. A daily routine of a student is a requirement for academic and professional success.
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