How to Establish a Good Routine
Establishing a consistent routine can be a game-changer when it comes to managing schoolwork, activities, and self-care. Routines help create a sense of order, allowing us to prioritise tasks and make the most of our time. For many people, especially those who are neurodivergent, routines can bring a comforting sense of predictability, helping to reduce stress and improve focus. But, while routines have undeniable benefits, the challenge lies in creating one that’s both effective and sustainable. I know first hand how hard it can be to stick to a new routine (this is very much a “do as I say, not as I do” post!) — those first few weeks of motivation can quickly fade, leaving us back at square one and feeling more frustrated than when we started.
In this blog post, I’ll go over some essential practices to include in a daily or weekly routine that can help you stay organised and keep up with school demands without burning out. Whether you’re aiming to improve your study habits, get better sleep, or find a balance between school and relaxation, these tips are designed to be both manageable and realistic.
Let’s dive into some ways to establish a routine that’s simple to follow and easy to maintain!
1. Notes Now - Chill Later:
Reviewing your class notes is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to retain information for the long term. Set a timer for just 10–15 minutes each evening (or whenever you have time) to go over what you learned in class, you’ll reinforce the material while it’s still fresh in your mind, helping it stick and you can always reward yourself with a little treat after! This practice helps to transfer information from short-term to long-term memory, making it easier to recall later. Additionally, regular reviews reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed as exams approach, since you’ll already be familiar with the content.
Daily reviews also help identify any gaps in understanding early on. If there’s a concept you didn’t fully grasp in class, reviewing your notes gives you the opportunity to clarify it before it becomes a bigger issue. Rather than cramming everything at once, short, spaced-out study sessions allow your brain to absorb and retain the material more effectively. This method of consistent learning is proven to be more successful for memory retention than last-minute cramming, which often leads to stress and forgotten information. For many subjects (especially STEM), it’s almost impossible to cram as each topic builds on each other. Maybe consider sharing your schedule with parents or friends who can help you stay on track.
2. Sleep Better and Dream Big:
Getting enough sleep has so many beneficial knock-on effects on academic success and overall well-being, but it’s often overlooked. During sleep, your brain engages in essential processes, like clearing away unused synapses and strengthening those actively in use, helping consolidate new information into long-term memory. This process, known as memory consolidation, is key to retaining what you’ve learned. Quality sleep also boosts focus, mood, and energy levels, making it easier to stay productive throughout the day. For optimal benefits, aim for 8–9 hours of sleep each night for boys and 9–10 hours for girls, particularly on school nights. Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule — even on weekends as hard as it may be — helps regulate your body’s internal clock, promoting deeper, more restful sleep. Additionally, setting boundaries around your electronics and study time is so important. The blue light from screens interferes with melatonin production, making it harder to fall asleep. By turning off devices and putting away schoolwork at least 30 minutes before bed, you give your brain the chance to relax and unwind naturally, improving your sleep quality and helping you recharge for the next day. If you have a smart home like me (think Alexa, Google Home), it can be really helpful to have a set time where the lights automatically go off to remind you to turn off and head to bed (it’s just one more thing to help you not have to remember these little reminders).
3. Game Plan: Study Smarter, Not Harder:
Planning study sessions in advance is a smart way to stay on top of your workload and avoid letting any subjects slip through the cracks. By organising your study schedule on a weekly basis, you’re able to balance all your subjects and make sure each one gets the attention it needs. Using a planner or digital calendar to set specific study times for each subject helps you build a predictable routine, making it easier to stay on track and allows you to set up a balanced approach, with time for breaks between sessions so you’re productive without burning out. Doing these study sessions with a friend/friends can also really help as you can keep each other accountable and ‘force’ yourselves to study. Knowing exactly when you’ll study each topic helps you mentally prepare and focus, and it’s easier to adjust your schedule as needed while keeping a steady pace.
4. Recharge & Refresh
Including time for relaxation and hobbies in your routine is just as important as scheduling study sessions. Consistency doesn’t mean studying around the clock, but rather, it’s about balancing work with activities that let you unwind and recharge. Engaging in hobbies can significantly reduce stress, enhance your focus, and offer a much-needed break from your studies. Taking time for activities like reading, playing sports, or working on an art project provides a healthy mental escape, allowing you to step back from your studies and enjoy something you genuinely like. This time away from academics helps prevent burnout and gives your mind a chance to process and organise what you’ve learned, so you can return to studying with a clearer, more refreshed mindset. Building relaxation and hobbies into your schedule isn’t just enjoyable; it’s a powerful way to support your overall well-being and make your study routine sustainable in the long run.
5. Weekend Wind-Down
A weekly Sunday reset is a powerful way to set yourself up for a productive and organised week. Taking just a little time each Sunday to plan, tidy, and organize can significantly reduce the stress that often builds up when things feel chaotic or out of control. Start by organising your school materials — sorting through notes, textbooks, and stationery — so everything is in its place and ready for use. Try putting on some music and get each task done before the song is up! This gives you a set time to complete tasks in a fun way. You can also use this as the perfect time to update any to-do lists, review upcoming deadlines, and set clear priorities for the week ahead. By breaking your tasks down into manageable steps, you create a roadmap for the week that helps prevent overwhelm.
In addition to organising, using your Sunday reset to clear your workspace and prepare mentally for the week gives you a fresh start and a sense of control. This intentional preparation helps you feel more focused and less stressed as you face the challenges of the week ahead. With everything set up and organised, you’ll feel ready to tackle your schoolwork with clarity and confidence, knowing you’ve taken the steps to ensure a smooth, successful week.
Important Note!
I just wanted to cover one last really important point to help make sure your routines are sustainable and feel achievable.
We all have an "ideal" routine in mind, where we perfectly balance school, hobbies, self-care, and relaxation, getting everything we want done in a day. But, realistically, sticking to that ideal every single day just isn’t feasible. Some days we’re exhausted from school and sometimes we just need a mental health day to recharge. On days like these, trying to force ourselves to follow a complex, high-energy routine can actually do more harm than good. This is where a "low-energy" routine can be a lifesaver. By scaling back and focusing on essentials, we can still accomplish the most important tasks without overwhelming ourselves. Lower-priority items are simply saved for a day when we have the energy to tackle them.
For those especially tough days, there’s also what I like to call the "bare minimum" routine — a way to avoid the dreaded feeling of "rotting in bed" by maintaining a few basic non-negotiable tasks, like eating, moving around a bit, and doing minimal schoolwork. Even these small actions can bring a sense of normalcy and stop us from feeling completely disconnected. While it’s okay to take a full rest day when needed, having these backup routines can be incredibly grounding, helping us stay on track and feel a sense of accomplishment, no matter how small.
Hopefully these tips help you to make a start on creating your own routines and sticking to them! Best of luck!