By Mary Meacham / Columnist and Photojournalist
How do I get through the difficulty of going through the same routine everyday (go to school, go home, do homework, sleep, repeat!)?
Dear Same Old Same Old,
I honestly have this dilemma every August as I’m getting into the groove of school and homework and the same routine every single day. In fact, I’m still struggling with it right now! It is so hard to go back to waking up early and doing work late into the night.
My advice here may seem overly simple, but it has helped me for the past eight years to get into steady but fun routines. First, I like to start my day with a breakfast or drink that makes me excited to skip downstairs in the morning. My choices change pretty often, but my current favorites are Eggo waffles and iced coffee! Next, make a great playlist for your drive to school! My sister and I have been loving “Red: Taylor’s Version” as we get into the fall mood. Your morning sets the mood for the day, so make it fun!
Once I get to school, I try to enjoy my breaks with friends rather than worrying about my homework or my next class. The best way to break out of a mundane routine is to look forward to the fun in your day rather than the stress points.
My last tip is to make your afternoons and nights something to look forward to. Yes, homework may come first, but that doesn’t mean it is the only thing you can do after school! Take study breaks, go to Starbucks, have a weeknight dinner out with a friend, go to Harpeth Hall soccer or volleyball games, or cross country meets (paw down)! Make the most of your free time!
The best way to avoid a boring routine is to change it up as often as possible! Make it a goal to have one point on your calendar that you look forward to every day, even if it’s as small as a McDonald’s Diet Coke after school. I promise it will make your routine something you love rather than endure!
Love, Mary