A routine is an intentional repetition of a set of actions.
Students, like any adult for that matter, tend to repeat the same sequence of habits day after day. For instance, you probably do more or less the same things every night (or almost every night) when you come home from school. This is called a routine.
Routines help you stay organized, which allows you to complete your homework and lesson review more efficiently, since you don’t have to waste time wondering what you should be doing next.
Creating a daily homework and study plan can help you:
- Make school a priority
- Build work habits you’ll use for the rest of your life
- Be more independent
- Minimize stress and feel more grounded
- Improve your chances of achieving your academic goals
- Boost your motivation
The easiest way to build your routine is to figure out what you need to do or what you have time to do when you get home from school. Next, decide what order to do everything in.
If you want your routine to be successful, you’ll need to ask yourself the right questions. Here are some examples :
- When is the best time to do your homework? When are you the most focused? After school, after dinner, in the evening, or on Saturday morning?
- What work do you need to do first (homework, assignments, studying, etc.)?
- How much time can you spend on your schoolwork?
- Are you involved in any extracurricular activities? If so, when are they scheduled?
- Where do you work most efficiently?
Your after-school routine should be tailored to your family situation. Keep in mind that your schoolwork should be a priority. Remember: consistency, discipline, and perseverance are the keys to building a routine you can stick to.
Example of an after-school routine:
- When you get home from school, give yourself a transition period (about 30 minutes) to have a healthy snack and do something relaxing like go for a walk or read a good book.
- Afterwards, move to your workspace to do your homework or study. Before you start, make a list of everything you need to do that night and update your calendar or planner as needed.
- If you don’t have any homework, read or do something else for about 30 minutes. That way, your routine won’t be disrupted.
- Try to eat dinner at the same time every day. Eating a good meal will give you the energy you need to do your best.
- If you still have homework left to do after you eat, go back to it, but don’t forget to set aside some free time.
- Go to bed at the same time every night. Getting a good night’s sleep will set you up for success.