No matter the time of year or how many years you have been in college, you will always receive advice, whether you are looking for it or not. You’re told to wake up early, be organized, and have a perfect daily routine, while also being told to balance work, friends, classes, and get good sleep. In reality, that doesn’t always seem so realistic. Not everyone is this type A that has their everyday routine completely organized. That’s completely fine. The habits you create that are much more sustainable are much more subtle. These small daily changes, which don’t have to be done in any particular order or all at once, are for the Type Bs who want just a tad more structure.
The thing that gets people the most are the boring tasks that might not be enjoyable. The possible solution for that is to make those boring tasks seem a little more fun. When it’s time to clean up or do dishes, you can put on music and all your favorite songs to associate something you love with tasks you might dread. When it’s time to study, you can play music that is calming and just light background noise to keep you productive. Other little things you can try are making your favorite coffee or tea, or even just lighting a candle.
Another little thing that might save you some time in your busy schedule is planning what you’re wearing the day before. If it’s for some important event or just a normal day, it’s one less thing you have to do in the morning that might actually get you to where you need to go if you’re running late.
A lifesaving habit could be doing one really productive thing each day. There are going to be days when everything feels like too much. You might have an entire checklist of things you need to complete, and instead of spiraling, it’s best to slow down and try to complete one task out of a million. Just one thing, like submitting an assignment, answering an email, or going over some class notes. It may seem small, but it works because the hardest part is usually getting started. Also, you’ve still made progress rather than stalling, even if you only finish that one task.
Another habit that is underrated is doing just a quick 30-minute reset. At a time when you are just doomscrolling and being unproductive, you can set a timer and see what little things you can accomplish in that time. Things like washing dishes, clearing your desk of clutter, folding and putting away some clothes. All the things on your list don’t have to be completed to perfection, but the fact that you’re putting in some effort and making some visual changes to your space makes a huge difference. This little habit can make you feel a little less guilty and less stressed.
Every week, there are tasks that you have that would take 5 or so minutes to complete, but instead, you worry and put them off for a while. To maybe fix this, having a specific day and time to do those random responsibilities that pile up in the background.
These habits can really work because they are forgiving. They don’t require perfection, consistency, or even a change in the environment you’re used to. It’s realistic and used to enhance your routine, not to control your every move. The tiniest habits can have the greatest impact.