10 Things You Shouldn’t Forget to Put in Your Schedule

Author: Michael |University Scholar
Filed under: College Advice
Date: Mar 1,2008

1. Calling your parents

You forgot about them didn’t you? Well, your parents do care and they do want to hear from you. Make sure you block out time in your schedule to call your parents. You may consider just writing an actual, send in mail, letter. Writing a letter takes time, and when your parents read it they will recognize the effort. And you can always benefit from extra writing.

2. Monthly Reflection

Do you ever worry if you are going to school for the right thing? Schedule one hour a month to sit and dwell upon your life. Students change their majors all the time. Some decide, college is not for them. During your reflection time think about:

Where you are?
Where you plan to be in the next few months?
Does everything feel right?
Is there something missing in your life?
What are your ambitions?

These are questions that we find ourselves asking everyday. By scheduling time to tackle the questions we can reduce our stress, because we know that we will deal with the issue. Worrying about whether you are on the right path is not something you should be concerned about while taking a test or writing a paper.

3. Toilet Time

Alright, this one is for the guys. Most guys would agree that they think best while sitting on the toilet. Well, I have noticed that my schedule has become so hectic that I do not appreciate my Toilet Time. Once a month, you deserve a 30 minute toilet session to think or read the newspaper.

4. Read a Book of Your Choice

In the course of the semester. Read a book that you actually want to read. Make it a part of your Sunday ritual if you’d like (Follow a Sunday Ritual by Cal Newport).

5. Play an Instrument

Did you play an instrument in High school? Don’t forget to keep at it. One day you will want to teach your kids to play an instrument. I play the piano all the time, for me it is a perfect stress reliever. Playing a musical instrument also enhances brain function and it counts as a physical exercise. I play the piano every other day. Don’t have a place to play? Yes you do. I am sure that there is a practice room in the music department that is not being used.

6. A Meeting with a Professor

Getting to know your professors is very important. They will be the ones writing letters of recommendations, possibly hooking you up with your first job, and forever a person of advice, and all for you. Go to their office; they wont bit. What should you talk about?

Ask if they have a book they recommended pertaining to the course.
Discuss a book your professor wrote. Extra Brownie Points!
Discuss news regarding the course.

Remember, your professor has to eat too. If it is lunch time, they are probably eating on campus. There is no reason why you can’t ask to eat with them.

7. FOOD

Plan what you will eat every week. Why? It lets you look at what you will be eating. If you write down McDonalds for everyday, you recognize that your weekly diet is not that great. If you planned day by day, you may not notice it.

8. A Community Service

I am not talking about Community Service that you put on your resume, but community service, for the sake of serving. One year of college is a lot and doing something to help another person will lift your spirits. Don’t bother putting it on your resume. Don’t bother telling everyone what you did. Just be proud that you did something for someone else.

9. Car Maintenance

Remember to check your car fluids. You can save a lot of money by checking your car. Don’t take it to a shop to have them check your fluids, ask a friend, someone on campus will check it for you. It takes 5 minutes, and you can save future expenses. Don’t have a car? Lucky you!

10. What Would You Add?

Share the important things you put in your schedule.