Once you start university, there is a noticeable lack of routine. Suddenly, no one is forcing you to go to lectures, start assignments early, or structure your day in any particular way. While some people thrive with this kind of freedom, I definitely struggled with holding myself accountable. Without the structure that school naturally provided, it became very easy to fall into unhealthy habits and lose balance between the academic and social sides of university life.
That’s why I realised I needed to create some kind of routine for myself. Not in a restrictive or overly disciplined way, but in a way that would help me feel more grounded and in control of my time. Simple things like organising time on a calendar to do my work for assignments three or four times a week made a huge difference. Having those time slots already planned out stopped work from building up and made everything feel much more manageable.
I also started allotting specific timeframes within my week for university work and setting aside time to prep meals a couple of times a week. These small routines actually gave me a lot more free time when I needed it because I didn’t feel guilty saying yes to a night out or a spontaneous hangout with friends. I knew I had already made time for my responsibilities earlier in the week.
It may not work for everyone, but organising my time effectively and sticking to these routines has improved my mental health significantly and given me more freedom to enjoy the other aspects of university life.