College is a lot. Sometimes it feels like you are floating from class to class, without your feet ever really touching the ground. For me, the best part about being at college was having my daily routine. I washed my face down the hall, did my hair at my desk, got my coffee, and went to my 9a.m. class. When I went back to Long Island, I missed the structure that my collegiate routine provided me. That being said, it was not perfect in the beginning. My routine took time to perfect, and that came from adding these small practices that made a big difference.
Morning:
I am not sure if this is just me, but I cannot function without listening to music. I do not know if it is the music major in me, or just the attention span issues, but I love listening to music as I start my day. I try to listen to calming, but positive music to set the tone for my day. Some artists on my morning playlist are SZA, Frank Ocean, Tyler, the Creator, Daniel Caesar, and Malcolm Todd. I feel grounded and ready to take on my day when I start it with good vibes and good music.
Another important part of my morning routine is making breakfast or at the very least coffee. There is something relaxing about making food in the morning, to the point that it makes me feel good about myself before I take on my classes. My quick and easy breakfast staples are Quaker’s Instant Protein Oatmeal Cups and Veggies Made Great’s Double Chocolate Muffins. Both are sweet, but have great benefits and make sure to fill me up before class. For coffee, I like to buy Stok’s unsweetened ice coffee and add my sweet cream flavored creamer. It is cheap and the perfect drink to get me through my longer days.
Afternoon:
Coming to college, I was nervous of the “freshman fifteen”, (which is a horrible concept placed into the minds of young adults that we can talk about another time) and so I was very motivated to stay physically fit. Although my reasoning for wanting to complete physical activity came from this harmful notion, it showed me how important exercise was to my mental health and attentiveness. As a Music Theatre major, I have taken dance classes, as well as been a part of student run dance programs. These classes were intellectually stimulating and also great for my physical wellbeing. Ballet taught me the importance of discipline, while also working out my core and flexibility. Tap improved my stamina greatly, and I am still learning more and more in jazz every day. I motivate anyone who is reading this to see what open dance classes you can fit into your schedule! Even on days where I do not dance, I make sure to go through my stretch routine, or go to the gym. Exercise is not just good for your body, but good for your mind, and it has helped me ground myself on days where my thoughts are racing.
A feeling that cannot be topped for me is feeling intellectually stimulated. I love feeling smart and feeling like I am fully knowledgeable on a topic. That being said, it can be hard to find learning enjoyable when it comes in the form of graded assignments. Because of this, I try to complete some kind of intellectually stimulating activity that is not connected to my course work. This is one of the main reasons that I joined HerCampus! On days where I am studying for my courses for hours on end, I enjoy a break by writing articles for HerCampus. This way I am still in a “locked in” mode if you will, but I am writing about things that I enjoy, on my own terms, without the pressure for a grade. I also do this by reading, or even drawing.
Night:
One of my New Year’s resolutions was to prioritize consistency and discipline. One of the main examples of this is through the attention I give my nighttime routine. My nighttime routine, particularly my skincare, is very important to me. Doing my skincare every night is a great way for me to wind down before settling into bed, but also just makes me feel good about myself. My skin has always been an insecurity for me, so when my skin is clear, it greatly boosts my self-esteem. I always feel good on a day where I feel pretty, and my skincare plays a big role in that. I also like to do Gua Sha during my skincare routine. Gua Sha originates from East Asian healing techniques and is a massaging technique of the face, neck, and upper chest that aids in lymphatic drainage. It relaxes muscles while also reducing puffiness and inflammation. Many people use a tool to complete their Gua Sha routine, but there are many tutorials on how to complete a Gua Sha massage with just your hands. Gua Sha relaxes me both mentally and physically at the end of a long day, and I have found that I fall asleep easier and quicker after completing a Gua Sha massage.
Possibly the most important thing I have added into my collegiate routine is making room for “me time.” Whether that is reading, drawing, painting my nails, watching anime, or even just scrolling on pinterest, I would argue that having “me time” at the end of my day is crucial to my sanity. College moves fast, and it is easy to neglect your basic needs; for me, that was my independence. I love alone time, so it is important that I make room for these moments for myself. They relax me, but also have the ability to make me feel proactive. Painting my nails and watching “Bunch of Friends” might not be as productive as studying sociology, but in an era where we overconsume social media, a small activity like this is still more stimulating than sitting on Tiktok will ever be.
The thing I hope you take from this article is that everyone is different; what works for me, may not work for you, but that is what makes finding what does work for you, so important! A structured routine can turn into what feels like a never ending cycle. Taking the time to add in moments for creativity, social interaction, exercise, and intellectual stimulation is what allows a routine to feel fulfilling, rather than isolating. How we spend our days, is how we spend our lives.