Building a College Routine

This may come a little late in the year, but it is better late than never. In college, we all, at some point struggled with  maintaining a sense of consistency or discipline - maintaining grades, studying , balancing a healthy social life, etc. This is understandable as you begin to venture from underneath the protection of your parents or guardians to tackle the world on your own. Responsibilities become your responsibilities. Decisions become your decisions. Coming to this realization, you now have to ask yourself the question, "How do I take control of the college life?"

"The secret to your future is hidden in your daily routine."

-Mike Murdock

One key element to a successful college career is having a solid ROUTINE. Yes, I said routine. But in this case, it is a routine that you have built that is geared towards success, not the monotonous, boring, everyday routine that you fall into. Remember, you control the routine that you build; you do not control the routine that you fall into.

First and foremost, your success starts with a goal. I will assume that each and every college student has some sort of goal in their life. But if you are struggling to find that goal in your life, let's figure out a starting point:

• Determine what has meaning to you. Any goal that you attempt to accomplish should be important to you. Finding those things that mean something draws the connection to making things reality. For example: My post college career is meaningful to me. 
• What makes it important. After finding out what is meaningful to you, determine what makes it important. Ex: It will bring me fulfillment and financial stability.
• Determine what is hindering from that goal. It is important to determine the root cause that is keeping you from accomplishing your goals. Ex: Partying, television, oversleeping, homesick.
• What and how do I need to change. This is the critical part of taking action.

It is hard to build a routine, if there is no goal that is set. However, after you have figured out a goal, you then have the starting point to begin building a successful routine. Using the example above, the student explained that his post college career was extremely important to him because it will bring fulfillment and financial stability to his life. But he identified some things that are hindering him - excessive partying, television, oversleeping, homesickness - from excelling in the classroom.

Acknowledging the root cause is essential because that is where the construction of your routine will begin. You have the goal (foundation), and you identified the root causes (building blocks). Each cause requires it own assessment as to how you will overcome that hurdle. For example: You are homesick, which means that you miss your family and friends. But then what is keeping you from visiting your family and friends? You determine  that the issue is money. Then you ask yourself why money is an issue, only to find out that it is a result of bad habits that you developed. So now, in order to alleviate the money issue you can conclude that you need to change your spending habits along with finding a means to supplement your income. This is just but one way to building a routine.

 
In order for it to be effective, you must be honest with yourself. Once you have tackled the hindrances, you are ready to start incorporating you routine that will help you achieve your goal.

Building a routine, takes courage, consistency and discipline. It requires making difficult decisions, but in the long run it will prove beneficial. Try building a solid routine, as you head into finals and see the difference it could make. And remember, make it fun!!! A routine can evolve over time and be strengthened