Developing a day-to-day schedule is typically formed through an individual’s understanding of what is essential and what can be done secondarily.
While this process differs from person to person, any required activities, such as school or work, are periods of the day where more satisfying personal activities are put aside to ensure a quality school or work experience.
The importance of either school or work is one of the main factors limiting the ability of people to utilize their time to the fullest extent. This can include anything from going to the gym, getting up in the morning and getting a coffee, walking a pet or any other personally fulfilling activity.
Finding that balance between splitting the necessary and personal activities can be incredibly difficult. Many college students have struggled with maintaining the balance of work and fun in college.
When entering college, the amount of important day-to-day activities increases exponentially. Having much more responsibility can frighten a lot of incoming freshmen students, especially when these new important tasks need to be added to an already full schedule. It sparks the first notions of maturing by developing responsible habits as surroundings change.
Doing what can feel like tedious, mindless tasks while adjusting to total independence can cause growing pains for many people. While nobody enjoys doing laundry, cleaning, checking or responding to emails, homework or other necessities, developing these skills is vital when a person wants to ensure that living independently can be sustainable.
The reason such small daily tasks can create such significant issues is not that the small tasks are necessarily difficult, but rather that there isn’t a shortcut to reaping the personal benefit of these tasks.
In the chaotic world of college, many students will look for any method to decrease unwanted work. In doing this, many students can be eager to put more challenging activities to the wayside to ensure an easier experience.
Creating a daily schedule is easy in theory but much more challenging to maintain in practice. The best method is to look at what needs to be done daily with a practical perspective. It is not realistic for anyone to think they can get everything they need to get done in one 24-hour period. However, approaching each day with a clear understanding of one’s necessary responsibilities, what personal activities can be allocated time for, and what other desired actions will not diminish the most critical daily requirements of school and work. Some things can always be done tomorrow, but not everything.
An article from the university information portal CollegeMarker in 2021, explores many of the routines that have been proven to develop better daily habits in college students. Many of the methods suggested are simple tasks such as ensuring a healthy breakfast, a sturdy gym routine and setting personal goals for each day, all values instilled into us at an early age. However, it’s always important to remember to do the small things daily or you will not be able to handle the huge things college will throw your way.
Benjamin is a Junior studying Journalism: News and Information at Ohio University. Please note that the opinions expressed in this column do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk about Benjamin’s column? Email him bw327020@ohio.edu
