MY KEY TO SUCCESS: DAILY ROUTINES

It's a huge part of my personality: I strive for success in everything I do. Since starting college, I find it even more crucial to budget my time and have a plan for all 24 hours of the day. There may be days I go overboard with how much I plan, but for the most part, I attribute my success and low stress levels to always having a plan. Part of these plans include having daily routines that keep me in check. Here are my five daily routines that you should consider incorporating into your day! 1. Start each day with a list As I've mentioned, list making is my lifestyle. I 100% believe that if you have a busy day ahead of you, or even a relaxing one, making a list and a schedule will keep you on task and help you make the most of it. On the days where you find yourself barely having time to eat, be sure to plan out specific times in order to carve out spaces to give yourself breaks. When you have a crazy amount of assignments, create a chart and prioritize before you begin. If your list isn't as long on a lazy day, try to throw in some of those chores you've been avoiding. As you finish things off, check them off the list and breathe a sigh of relief. No better feeling. 2. Eat breakfast As a former breakfast *hater*, I can say that I too was skeptical about the difference breakfast truly makes. But as someone who now can't start the day without something to eat, I can tell you truthfully that the most important meal of the day truly is breakfast. I'm lucky enough to live five floors above a dining hall, and every morning I wake up with an extra half hour built into my morning to relax and have a solid breakfast. Whether it's big or small, give yourself something to look forward to when you wake up. It will fuel you for the day and jump start your energy. Once you get into the habit, you'll be functioning better than ever. 3. Strive for those 8 glasses a day Along with eating breakfast, the other way to ensure a successful day through what you put into your system is to drink water. Lots of it. I track my water in order to make sure I'm drinking enough, and I can tell a huge difference in how I feel based on how hydrated I am. This will help you think more clearly and keep your energy up. If you find it hard to get all 8 glasses, a.k.a. 64 ounces, start slowly and build up a little at a time. Striving for two glasses at each meal and keeping your water bottle on your desk while you study are the easiest ways to drink more. 4. Know when you're going to bed and stick to it As a college student, I'm not unfamiliar with those nights where you just have to stay up. When stuff needs to get done, it needs to get done. But on those nights where you're done early enough where you could catch all 8 hours of sleep, try to do that. Call me a grandma, but I would say I get 7-9 hours almost every night. And on the days where I get less than that, I can feel myself dragging. Your body simply cannot function without sleep. There isn't enough coffee in the world to keep you going on 2 hours of rest every night for four years. Side tip: Also, shut your laptop and turn your phone over. Snapchat and Pinterest can wait, because once you're in bed, you should try not to waste another half hour looking at a screen.

5. Highs and Lows As the most encouraging part of my routine, I keep a high and low journal. Every day has highs and lows, so I write down my top two picks for the day. I draw inspiration from my lows in the sense that if it's something I can control, I strive to improve the next day. My highs remind me of how lucky I am, usually having to do with the people I'm surrounded by or the hard work I put into every day. Keeping track of these things serves not only for your memories, but also as something to keep you motivated.

xo Kate