By Ashley Hefner, Photographer and Staff Writer
People often tell me I have excellent executive functioning. When they do, I smile, but I was not always this productive. I learned to be. What transformed me was understanding that structure creates the space to become the best version of myself. Creating a schedule and finding the joy in crossing things off a checklist transformed my days from sitting and staring at walls to accomplishing all my daily tasks.
At first, a carefully planned daily routine can seem restrictive, as many people think of it as a set of strict rules that do not allow room for spontaneity. But I see it differently. I view my schedule as a blueprint, organizing everything you need to get done into intentional blocks of time. For me, this schedule is rigorous. I go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. I work out at 7:00 AM every morning, I do Duolingo at 7:45, carve out two hours a day to study for the LSAT and pencil in time to hang out with my friends. Nearly every aspect of my life is scheduled. To some, this sounds rigid. To me, it’s freeing. Once I’ve allotted time to do the things that matter, I no longer have to spend time answering the question “what do I need to do?”
As students, our lives are already organized into a schedule — class times, assignment deadlines and exam dates force a specific structure on our lives, even if we do not actively think of it that way. However, there is a difference between being forced into a routine and intentionally designing your own. A self-made schedule sends a message: this is who I aspire to be. Writing mine down turned hopes into concrete tasks that I accomplish every day, such as learning a new language, staying fit and getting into law school. The act of choosing for yourself makes the schedule not a burden but a list of priorities that reflects the life you actually want to live.
We live in a culture that often reminds us to give ourselves grace and not to be too hard on ourselves. That is not necessarily bad advice, but it risks normalizing avoidance. Sometimes, the kindest thing we can do for ourselves is hold onto higher standards, especially in a stage of life when academics, resume building and healthy habits all matter. Being “hard” on yourself does not mean being cruel. It means setting expectations that push you to become the person you want to be.
But wanting many things for ourselves, like academic success, a good social life and improved health, can feel overwhelming. That is why schedules are powerful. If every goal has a time slot, the mental clutter shrinks. Instead of staring at a long list of competing priorities and feeling stressed about what to do, you have a plan. This helps with time management and prevents procrastination, which too often turns into the discouragement of “I’ll never do it.”
But simply writing out a schedule is not enough. A plan is only as good as the follow-through. That’s where crossing off tasks comes in. There is immense satisfaction to be found in checking off completed tasks, and that satisfaction fuels the willpower to keep up with your schedule.
Of course, it is crucial to be kind to yourself by giving yourself time to take breaks and not worrying about following the schedule to a T. But discipline is just as important. Create checklists and make crossing things off a habit. When you miss a task, forgive yourself, but learn from it — do not make procrastinating your MO.
A schedule gives you the puzzle pieces to pursue your desires; the discipline of keeping to that schedule gives you the power to put these pieces together and achieve your goals. Tools, like a schedule, on their own do not transform someone. They simply help you put what matters on paper. The actual work of completing tasks is up to you.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Ashley Hefner