Tips for building your perfect 'back-to-school' routine

School is back in session which, unfortunately, means we have to say "goodbye" to movie marathons, binge-watching "Bridgerton" and eating cookies for dinner. But if you’re anything like me, this could be a good thing, especially in terms of health and wellness. The new semester can be the perfect opportunity to find a new rhythm and make structure in our daily lives.

Getting back into the swing of things isn't an easy task, especially when you’re doing everything from home. But with every week comes a weekend! So, as long as you prioritize, schedule and apply self-discipline, you can make it through the week with flying colors and time to spare.

I have my own daily routine that has worked out for me so far and I want to impart my wisdom onto you. So, here it is: A list of everything you should do to build a kick-ass routine.

Make your own schedule

Due to the fact that most classes are asynchronous, it’s important to have self-discipline and stick to a schedule.

One thing I like to do is divide the week by classes. For example, this semester I'm taking four academic classes and one internship. On Tuesdays and Fridays, I will work from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. online for my public relations internship, so I will not be doing any school work on these days. Afterwards, I will read my new Matthew McConaughey book "Greenlights" (not that anyone was asking). That’s two days gone and four classes to divvy out throughout the rest of the week, leaving me with Sunday to relax and regroup.

To-Do Lists are everything

Now that we’ve decided what days we will take each class, we can plan the day accordingly. If you don’t have a planner, order one online now. I kid you not, having a planner is the most essential part of a successful routine.

Prioritizing and planning your days will allow you to focus better on the work you’ve allotted yourself to complete on each respective day. For example, if all you have to do is write one discussion post on Thursday, you’ll be more inclined to get it done rather than leaving it to the last minute, which, by that time, you’ll be so overwhelmed with everything that still needs to get done, you won’t end up doing it all!

Every Monday morning, go on Canvas or Sakai and see what your teacher has planned out for that week and divide the work accordingly. It’s also very important to estimate how long it may take you to complete an assignment. As someone who takes a half-hour break every 15 minutes, I definitely take that into consideration.

This is what my planner will look like during the first week, and as you can see, my plan leaves plenty of time for socializing, hobbies, cooking, running errands, etc.

Monday: Writing for Professionals

• Class: 12:35 – 1:55 (this class is synchronous)

Digital Media Production

• Introduction Module / Read Syllabus

Tuesday: Internship 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Public Information & Public Relations

• Module 1

Thursday: Writing for Professionals

• Class: 12:35 – 1:55

• Homework

Friday: Internship 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Saturday: Personal Finance & Decision Making

• Module 1

Exercise

For those of you who don’t exercise, consider trying it out this semester. As someone who despised running for years, I understand that it can be hard to start. But, when I began struggling with anxiety and depression, exercising became a safe haven for me.

I can't stress enough how mentally enlightening a 30 minute jog or walk can be. Being inside all day, staring at your computer screen can get old really fast, especially when your blue-light glasses are giving up on you.

Have you ever heard of a “runner’s high?" When you run or exercise, your brain releases endorphins which help relieve pain and stress, according to Healthline. Additionally, running stimulates the release of chemicals like dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin, which all help to improve your mood, sense of well-being, appetite, sleep cycle, etc. 

School is overwhelming, but exercising can help relieve some of that stress. I know it’s so much easier to lay in bed and watch TV, but 30 minutes is nothing. It’s a simple task you can do before you eat breakfast. You can even make it into a new challenge for the year: Wake up 30 minutes earlier every other day, grab your sneakers and your AirPods and head out the door for a jog. End your run at the nearest Starbucks or Dunkin’ and treat yourself to a croissant and a hot coffee for a “cool-down” walk home. 

Change up your study spot

Doing your work in the same spot every day can get pretty mundane (and wear out the springs on your seat, R.I.P to my kitchen chair). So, change it up!

I live in a small apartment with my family and I don’t have a desk, so I get creative. One day I'll lay on the floor and do my work. The next day, I’ll set up my workspace in the living room on the coffee table. The day after: my kitchen counter with my unfortunately dull chair. While this rule may seem unimportant, giving yourself fresh scenery can help prevent you from feeling bored or lazy.

Try out some new hobbies

With the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic still present as ever in our lives, it's hard to be home all the time. It’s hard to feel like all you're doing is working and never really having fun.

A new hobby I’ve picked up is editing. As a movie fanatic, I love to watch compilations of movie scenes, so I started to make them myself and I really enjoy it. I’ve also started reading celebrity memoirs. This year so far, I’ve read: Demi Moore’s "Inside Out: A Memoir," Rob Lowe’s "Stories I Only Tell My Friends: An Autobiography," Tina Fey’s "Bossypants" and now Matthew McConaughey’s "Greenlights."

Never being much of a reader before myself, I’ve fallen in love with reading celebrity memoirs to learn about their unique and one-of-a-kind journeys that they’ve been blessed with. Stepping into someone else’s shoes can certainly give you perspective and the motivation to live your own life to its highest potential. Try out some new hobbies — you might find one you like that you can add to your routine as a cathartic activity.

So that’s it. Those are my rules for building a successful routine. They’ve worked out for me so far and I hope they work for you, too. I may be unqualified to give you such advice but looking at our politicians today, is anyone qualified for anything these days?