Middle School Students' Routines

As teenagers, we may struggle with finding a routine, but what are the benefits of one?

The struggle of carrying out a routine is faced by both adults and teens. Routines are something, as teens, we have to focus on because it affects our education and our life. Our traits are highly affected by what we do, at what time, and how we do it; it's likely that most of us stay awake late at night to get assignments done, which may lead to us being cranky or sleepy in the morning (Sinrich).

A lack of a routine could cause cramming, lack of sleep, overdue deadlines, stress, or adrift from your goals. The key to avoiding this would be to create a routine that works for you. Even the greatest soccer, football, and basketball players and our favorite celebrities have routines. To establish a routine like our favorite famous people, one thing is required: dedication.

Dedication to time management is a vital pro, but it can be tricky to stick to. It's one of those things we can’t really determine and is sort of unpredictable. Time management is huge for middle schoolers because you can manage your time, create stability, and invent your routine.

The benefits of time management include helping you visualize your day and putting limits on what you do. Setting limits for yourself is important, because as gifted students, sometimes we want things to be perfect. However, we sometimes have to be able to move on and come back to the concept later. For example, think of the saying “divide and conquer.” It allows you to complete your task efficiently and reasonably. Time management cuts those extra hours of work spent doing on an assignment, which will give you time for the things you're passionate about.

A subtopic of time management is prioritization. Learning to sort things from least important to most important can be extremely beneficial. In some cases, it's a tug-of-war, as you have the things you're passionate about, but you also have requirements. A helpful tip could be: do the things that are required first or deadlines that are quickly approaching.

Exercise plays a crucial role when it comes to routines. As statistics from a random sample of eighth-graders show, 54.4% of students participate in a sport or other physical activity (“How Much Time Do People Spend on Social Media?”). However, the survey also suggests that they find it hard to manage their routine because these activities give them less time to do the other things they must do. A supportive suggestion is to establish any sort of activity that will help you take a break, whether it's walking, jogging, dancing, or a sport! In addition to the well-known benefits of exercising, it will help you establish a routine since it creates a balance between those personal and educational activities (Sinrich). As one student said, “[it] helps me stay healthy and helps balance aspects of my life (school, friends, family, etc.).” In conclusion, this aspect of having a routine can vary between people, but it may be a helpful tool on your journey to establishing a routine.

Routines can be hard, but there are some major benefits to them. Routines help you find a balance in life, school, and so much more. The key is dedicating yourself to finding what works for you and being absolutely consistent with it.

Works Referenced

Content Team, Mind Tools. “What Is Time Management? - Time Management Skills From MindTools.com.” Mind Tools, https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newHTE_00.htm. Accessed 11 May 2022.

“How Much Time Do People Spend on Social Media?” Social Buddy, https://socialbuddy.com/how-much-time-do-people-spend-on-social-media/. Accessed 11 May 2022.

Popova, Maria. “The Daily Routines of Great Writers – The Marginalian.” The Marginalian, 20 November 2012, https://www.themarginalian.org/2012/11/20/daily-routines-writers/. Accessed 11 May 2022.

“The Action Priority Matrix - Time Management Tools From MindTools.com.” Mind Tools, https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newHTE_95.htm. Accessed 11 May 2022.

Sinrich, Jenn. “6 Major Benefits of Being a Morning Person.” Aaptiv, https://aaptiv.com/magazine/benefits-morning-person. Accessed 11 May 2022.