While doing things when you feel like it may be tempting, routines are critical to establishing a rhythm to your day, especially in the absence of a mandatory routine.
My name is Jack Bowman, and for my entire life, I have been an athlete. When I was a kid, my free hours were taken up by baseball, basketball and pretty much any sport my parents would let me play. Last year, as a freshman here at the Mount, I swam on the Division 1 Swim Team, which required up to ten practices and workouts a week. As a result, I didn't have much unstructured time. While I lamented this fact at the time, it actually helped me stay organized.
At the beginning of my sophomore season, I decided to quit the swim team to focus more on my schoolwork and, potentially, build up a resume of relevant experience for future jobs. While I do not regret my decision, I have found myself struggling to fill the hours of unstructured time I now have between classes.
The answer? Establishing a routine.
Establishing a routine is, while difficult to actually carry out, simple to plan. Essentially, you, in the absence of an official structure, plan out a structure to your own day. Perhaps you have a certain time you want to do your homework, followed by a certain time you want to get in some exercise. By planning out your day and sticking to that plan, you add some discipline where before there was a lack of structure.
Establishing a routine does more than just giving structure, though. It can help with mental health, as it gives you a sense of purpose and direction. It helps with reducing stress, creating good and healthy habits, and much more. Organization and structure, while tedious, are good for you. I have found this out the hard way.
All of this is especially important coming back from Spring Break. After more than a week off, it is critical to get back into the swing of things by getting yourself into a rhythm. It will help with productivity and mental health.
While it will take some work at the beginning, I would recommend establishing a routine to anyone looking for greater organization, or even just a little boost to their mental health. The results may be more than you even hoped for.