I’ve realized this semester that the things that keep me grounded in college aren’t the big moments, they’re the small routines I barely notice until I actually stop and think about them. The same walks, the same places, the same habits I fall into without trying. None of it is dramatic or aesthetic in the way social media makes college look, but these ordinary moments are the ones that make my days feel calmer and more manageable. This is what my routine looks like right now, and honestly, it’s become one of my favorite parts of being here.
the walk that starts my day
My morning class is the one class I never skip. I don’t really know why. Maybe it’s because it’s the only place I actually feel like I learn something consistently. Maybe it’s because the walk wakes me up better than any coffee ever could. The walk is quiet in the way that feels different on campus. My earbuds are in, jacket zipped up, and it’s just me and the cold air. It sets the tone for my whole day. It’s become this accidental ritual where I say, “Okay, I can handle today.” Even on mornings where I’m exhausted or overwhelmed, that walk feels steady and familiar.
My time at the rec
I try to go to the rec almost every day, not because I’m doing some intense workout or trying to transform my life or anything dramatic like that. I just walk on the indoor track. Sometimes it’s 30 to 40 minutes, sometimes turns into an hour if the track isn’t crowned. It’s just me, my music, a the view of the windows looking out over campus, and everything moving around me while I finally have time to just slow down. There’s something really calming about it. No assignments, no exams, no pressure. Just steps and time. I didn’t expect a track in the middle of campus to become one of my favorite places, but somehow it did.
The Exam week coffee rush
My exam week coffee intake is honestly embarrassing. I’m not even someone who gets coffee everyday — usually it’s a once a week treat, if that. But once exam starts creeping up, that one a week turns into “okay, maybe I need one every day just to function.” It’s like my brain suddenly decides caffeine is a need. And even though I know it’s mostly psychological, it still feels comforting to grab a coffee before studying. Taking that first sip and convincing myself, “Alright, I can do this.” Tt’s chaotic, but in a way that makes sense for exam weeks.
slow weekends that save me
My weekends have their own routine too, even if it’s nothing impressive. Once a week, I’ll get takeout, usually Haven Hot Chicken, and bring it back to my room. Then, I finally sit down and watch whatever show I haven’t had time for all week. No plans, no pressure to be productive. Just food, my bed, and the show I’ve been putting off since Monday. It’s the one part of my week where I can fully slow down, and honestly it feels like a reset. It’s a reminder that rest still counts as part of my routine.
the small habits i didn’t notice
There are so many tiny habits I didn’t even realize were part of my routine until I paid attention. Cleaning my desk before I study because I swear I can’t think when it’s messy. Trying to sit on the same floor of the library, even though half the time it’s packed and I end up wandering around until I find an open spot. Switching to my over-the-ear headphones when I need to get serious, because the noise cancelling convinces me I’m actually locked in. Taking the same shortcut between buildings without even thinking about it. They’re small things, maybe boring things, but in a semester where so much changes, these little habits stay the same, and that consistency is comforting in a way.
Why the routine matters
This semester taught me that routine isn’t boring, it’s grounding. It’s what makes the overwhelming parts of college feel doable. It turns long weeks into something softer. It makes the days feel like they make sense. I use to think I needed big moments or constant excitement to feel like I was doing college “right,” but the truth is, it’s the quiet stuff that keeps me balanced.
The walks, the rec, the coffee, the slow weekends, the tiny habits — they’re simple, but they add up. They make the chaos feel manageable. They make everything feel less like I’m barely keeping up and more like I’m actually settling into my own rhythm. College doesn’t have to be highlight reel. It can be peaceful. It can be simple. And the ordinary parts can still be beautiful.
If there’s one thing I’m taking into next semester, it’s this: routine isn’t something I’m stuck in, it’s something that helps me feel steady. And honestly, I think I need that.