Creating Your College Routine

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    College can be a stressful experience for anyone, whether it be a first-year student arriving on campus for the first time or a final-year student getting prepared to graduate and leave campus. Classes change and progress every semester, and there are always events and activities to attend all throughout campus. With the many variables that can alter your college experience, it is especially important to create and stick to a routine that can help you best achieve academic and personal success. Routines can help you accomplish your daily tasks and motivate you to be productive each week. They help keep you accountable by creating a laid out plan for each day to follow. Routines also contribute to an improved mental and physical state. 

Athulya Nair, ABE '24, in front of the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Building

Create a Morning Routine

    Mornings are considered the most important time of the day since the way you start your morning can dictate how the rest of the day follows. One of the first steps in creating a proper routine in college is determining how you will start your mornings. Try to stick to a proper sleep schedule and wake up at the same time each day. This will help improve your circadian rhythm and ensure that you wake up feeling well rested. When you wake up, refrain from immediately going on your phone and checking social media and instead try doing some light stretches or getting some sunlight. Scrolling on your phone promptly after waking up can trigger stress or anxiety during the day, and also affect your brain’s productivity levels by promising you to be distracted throughout the day. Another way to properly set up your day is by making your bed. By cleaning up and organizing your sleeping space every morning, you are ensuring that you set yourself up for optimal productivity levels for the remainder of the day.

Coordinate a Gym Schedule

    Although you may be getting your steps in everyday by walking from class to class, it’s still important to incorporate other forms of exercise into your routine. Creating a proper gym routine helps you take time away from classes and studying, and it helps refocus your concentration for future tasks. Exercising regularly releases endorphins in the brain and also helps you feel more relaxed. It’s crucial to take time for yourself and destress in order to prevent burn out early in the semester. One of the many great things about Purdue is the wide range of resources that are offered in the France A. Córdova Recreational Sports Center, or better known as the CoRec. The campus gym is open from 5:30 AM to 12 AM on Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 12 AM on Saturday and 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM on Sunday, so there is plenty of time for you to head over in between classes or after a long day. There are several different types of exercising equipment to appease your fitness desires, and the CoRec even offers over 50 different classes weekly that range from high intensity cardio classes to morning yoga and meditation. The CoRec offers so many options for campus students, and it’s a great idea to take advantage of everything available.

Maintain a Proper Eating Schedule

    While keeping up with your academics and having fun with friends, having a regular eating schedule may be at the back of your mind. However it is important to maintain healthy habits and eat properly throughout the day to make sure that your mind and body are adequately nourished. Eating the right fruits and vegetables guarantees that your energy is sustained throughout the day for you to complete your daily tasks. With 5 different dining courts located across campus that offer every food imaginable as well as several restaurants and fast food options located throughout the area, you’ll have trouble deciding what you want to eat. The dining courts also offer gluten-free and vegan options so you can be assured that your dietary needs are met and taste palettes are accommodated. Purdue also offers different types of meal plans that range in amount of dining dollars and swipes per week so you can best cater your dining preferences to your personal needs.

Organize a Study Schedule

    Of course it’s a given that you’ll be studying while at college, but it’s especially beneficial to have a study routine. College courses move through all the material needed to be covered within a semester as opposed to the year that it takes in highschool, and topics can quickly fly by if you don’t keep track of what you’re learning. Keeping up with a study routine in college helps avoid procrastination and encourages you to retain the information you learn in class. Most professors at Purdue also hold office hours where you can drop in and ask any questions relating to the material covered during lectures or recitations. Purdue also holds several Supplemental Instruction (SI) sessions where students can join a peer-led group study session to better understand course topics. It is a great way to get help on any homework questions you have while also making connections with your peers in the same classes. The Women in Engineering Program also offers tutoring sessions for many first-year engineering classes in Shreve, one of the dorms in the residential side of campus. This opportunity is free and does not require an appointment!

Make Time to Relax

    Don’t feel overwhelmed with all the things mentioned on this list! Ultimately, college is the first time in your life where you don’t have scheduled classes at a specific time everyday, and you’re left to determine how you want to take charge of your college schedule. With all the excitement of classes and hanging out with your friends, you need to remember to also take time for yourself. In addition to workout classes and equipment, the CoRec also offers amenities such as a mindfulness room and massage and light therapy to help you better relax and decompress. Relaxing can also mean taking a walk around campus or watching a show or movie that you really enjoy and pairing it with some popcorn or ice cream.


    Creating a routine is primarily about finding out what’s best for you and your personal needs. Not everyone is the same, and college is a time in your life where you can best discover who you are and who you want to be. Spend time figuring out what works best for you, and slowly begin to make your personalized routine. Most importantly remember to have fun and enjoy your years spent at Purdue!

Athulya Nair, ABE '24

WE Link Leadership Team


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