Do you ever end your day feeling exhausted but unproductive?
If so, chances are your routine is the culprit.
A good routine ensures your time is used wisely and leaves you feeling accomplished.
A bad routine, on the other hand, drains your energy, steals your focus, and prevents you from reaching your full potential.
The good news? With a few mindful adjustments, you can fix your routine and set yourself on the path to long-term success.
Why Your Routine Matters
Your daily routine determines how effectively you balance academics, hobbies, and rest. A poorly structured routine often leads to:
• Rushed mornings
• Wasted evenings
• Sleep deprivation
• Low energy and focus in class
To fix this, you first need to analyze your current activities, then gradually shift towards a more balanced schedule.
The Typical Student Day (Flawed)
Here’s a sample routine many students unconsciously follow:
Morning Routine:
• 7:00 – 7:30 AM → Wake up & freshen up
• 7:30 – 8:00 AM → Breakfast
• 8:00 AM → Leave for school
Evening Routine:
• 5:30 – 6:00 PM → Return & snacks
• 6:00 – 7:00 PM → Music/extracurricular practice
• 7:00 – 8:00 PM → Homework
• 8:00 – 9:00 PM → Reading
• 9:00 – 9:30 PM → Dinner
• 10:00 – 11:00 PM → TV / Social media
• 11:00 PM → Sleep
What’s wrong?
• Only 1 hour in the morning vs. 5+ hours in the evening (disproportionate time use)
• Morning is too rushed — even minor hiccups (like finding socks or packing a bag) can cause chaos
• Too much late-night screen time → poor sleep & sluggish mornings
Fix #1: Balance Morning and Evening Time
Mornings are proven to be the most productive part of the day — your mind is fresh and distractions are fewer.
By waking up earlier, you can shift some important tasks (like reading) from night to morning.
Revised Routine 1
Morning Routine:
• 6:00 – 6:30 AM → Wake up & freshen up
• 6:30 – 7:30 AM → Reading (or focused study)
• 7:30 – 8:00 AM → Breakfast
• 8:00 AM → Leave for school
Evening Routine:
• 5:30 – 6:00 PM → Snacks
• 6:00 – 7:00 PM → Music/extracurriculars
• 7:00 – 8:00 PM → Homework
• 8:00 – 8:30 PM → Dinner
• 8:30 – 9:30 PM → TV/Social media
• 10:00 PM → Sleep
Benefits:
• Morning buffer time → prevents rushed starts
• More focused reading/study in the morning
• Reduced late-night fatigue
Fix #2: Rearrange Evening Screen Time
The biggest enemy of a healthy routine?
Scrolling social media or watching TV right before bed.
Why?
• You lose track of time (planned 30 minutes → turns into 1+ hour)
• Blue light disrupts sleep
• Leads to waking up late, skipping breakfast, and poor classroom focus
Revised Routine 2
Morning Routine:
• 6:00 – 6:30 AM → Wake up & freshen up
• 6:30 – 7:30 AM → Reading
• 7:30 – 8:00 AM → Breakfast
• 8:00 AM → Leave for school
Evening Routine:
• 5:30 – 6:00 PM → Snacks
• 6:00 – 7:00 PM → Extracurriculars
• 7:00 – 8:00 PM → Homework
• 8:00 – 9:00 PM → TV/Social media
• 9:00 – 9:30 PM → Dinner
• 10:00 PM → Sleep
Why it works:
• Screen time before dinner is naturally limited (parents usually call for dinner)
• No screens before bed → better sleep quality
• More energy and focus the next morning
Key Takeaways
• Morning time is golden → shift focused tasks to early hours
• Avoid screens before bed → protect sleep quality
• Balance routines → spread tasks evenly across the day
• Start small → wake up 15 minutes earlier, then gradually build up
Final Note
A good routine doesn’t happen overnight — it’s built step by step. Start with one change, stick to it, and you’ll soon notice big results.
Remember: fix your routine, and you fix your success.