How To Make Your Days More Productive

During my sophomore year of college, I realized how often I was complaining of there not being enough hours in the day to accomplish all that I wanted to. I recalled seeing a funny meme that stated, “You have as many hours in the day as Beyoncé,” and I decided it was time to make a change. Since the day that light bulb turned on, I have established a very helpful and productive routine. Keep reading to find out the three things I do as part of my routine and how they have helped lead me to success

First off, a planner is my absolute best friend!!! One of the most useful tips I learned my freshman year of college was to add all assignments, due dates, and exam dates to your planner as soon as you get your syllabus. In addition, I also add in any social events, job hours, or any other obligations so that everything is organized and in one place. This ensures that I never miss a due date, and it helps me visualize how busy my week will be and stops me from overlapping events and then being put in a bad situation. Find a selection of cute planners from stores like Michaels Craft Store, Lilly Pulitzer, Target, and Urban and choose one that fits you best. Then grab yourself a pack of colored pens because color coating is not only helpful but also aesthetically pleasing and fun, and you're all set!

Also, keeping a calendar in your room to map out your class schedule, takes planning a step further. Use this to block out time for the big events in your week so you can keep them fresh in your mind. This includes big assignments, events, and travel plans. Also add in a laundry schedule, study hours, and gym time. (Tip: Once you block off time for these things, treat them the same way you would treat attending your scheduled classes). Doing this drastically improved my time management skills. If you follow your schedule, you’ll realize you have so much more time for the stuff you actually want to do!

I truly believe that the key part of a successful routine starts as soon as you wake up. Push yourself to get up and moving after just one alarm. You’d be surprised how much easier it is to start your day if you don’t lay in bed for 20 minutes after hitting snooze and then scrolling through your Instagram feed. Also try to have a set sleep schedule, getting up at the same time every morning makes it easier and easier to start your day feeling fully rested and ready to go. Most importantly, make a habit of eating breakfast every day, as it helps put you in the mindset of being productive and fuels your body for a very productive day.

Getting into a routine can definitely be challenging. However, with a little diligence and lots of organization, you will soon realize how easy it can be…You’ll never hear me say that there aren’t enough hours in the day again!

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