My schedule has varied a lot. In my first year, I took a light courseload and focused on the transition from high school to college. I’m most proud of my sophomore schedule because I maneuvered having Fridays off and only one class on Wednesdays. Now that it’s my junior year, I felt ready for more responsibility, so I took on additional credits and became involved in more activities. Come with me as I walk you through my busiest day of the week!
8:20 a.m. – Wake up
Although I don’t like to get up early, I’ve had to adapt because I have 9 a.m. classes almost every day this semester. Waking up at 6 a.m. over the summer for work made this transition pretty easy for me. After several days of testing, I determined 8:20 a.m. is the latest I can get up and still be a little early for class. Usually, I’m out the door by 8:40 a.m. and make it to class with a couple minutes to spare.
9 a.m. – Physics
Physics is my first class of the day, and I like having it early. I prefer to get all my classes over with in the morning so I can chill later in the day. I also hate having awkward gaps in my schedule, so I try to select classes that are back-to-back. Physics is pretty fun because the teacher adds a lot of memes to his lectures and does a lot of demos for us. The content is challenging, but he has problem-solving sessions, office hours, and TA discussion sections for us to get help.
10 a.m. – Chemistry?
Unfortunately, I have a lot of awkward gaps in my schedule this semester, and one of them is from 10–11 a.m. after physics has ended and I’m waiting for my next class to start. Although I could sit in the library while I wait, I’ve found it easier to just get to my next class an hour early. The only problem is the room is being used for a chemistry class. Since it’s a lecture hall, I blend in and sit at the back. The teacher actually taught my chemistry lab during my first year, so it’s fun seeing him lecture again. I use this janky one-hour block as a study hall.
11 a.m – Sociology
After my weird, makeshift study hall, I have sociology. Since this is one of my bigger classes, it’s nice to already have a seat once it starts. Sociology is more reading-heavy, but the professor does a good job of aligning his lectures with our assigned texts. He’s pretty fun and makes the class really engaging, so time usually flies.
12 p.m. – Lunch & break
Immediately after sociology, I rush to what I consider the best dining spot on campus—Nolan’s on 33rd. Since this is one of my busy days, I get my food to go. This is super convenient for when I’m hungry but don’t have time to sit inside and eat. I try to beat the lunch crowds because all the food is fresh, and I can get in and out without waiting in any lines.
Okay, so technically I could stay and eat, but since it’s a quick walk, I take my food back to my apartment and have what I like to call an “indoor picnic” where I eat on my bed with my iPad propped up playing a show. This is easily my favorite part of the day because I almost always follow it with a nap before my next class. Every now and then I’ll actually get work done, but that’s rare because waking up at 8:20 a.m. really takes it out of me and I love being able to just sit and do nothing.
3 p.m. – American Sign Language (ASL)
If I didn’t have ASL at 3 p.m., I’d probably still be asleep, so it’s good I have class to get me up. This is a great one to wake up to because the professor makes his lectures really engaging and it’s super fun to learn a new language. Since the class is small (about 15 people), we’re able to practice a lot and get to know each other.
4 p.m. – Study
This is another awkward break in my schedule where I have an hour to kill before my last class of the day. Depending on the work I need to get done, I’ll spend this time at a physics problem-solving session (where the TAs and other classmates help us with our homework), or I’ll find a spot to study in Gilman Hall, the location of my next class.
5 p.m. – Writing training
My last class of the day is training for students to work in the Writing Center next semester. The Writing Center is a free resource on campus that allows students to get help with any writing they’re working on like assignments for class, passion projects, and personal statements for professional schools they’re applying to. As part of the hiring process, tutors have to take this class before we can start working. It’s a good thing I like it because it’s an hour and fifty minutes long. The length isn’t ideal, but since the content is interesting and it only lasts for half of the semester, it isn’t too bad.
7 p.m. – Study/relax
After class I go back to my apartment and sometimes finish up my assignments, but usually I chill for a bit before club basketball practice. This is a pretty small gap because I also have to get ready to leave. There are a lot of different sports clubs on campus. They’re all a little different in terms of competitiveness, experience level, and who can join. For club basketball, anyone is welcome at practice, but there are tryouts for the travel team. The travel team plays league games against other schools in the area.
8 p.m. – Basketball practice
For the next two hours, the club team has basketball practice. This allows me to clear my head after a lengthy day of classes. The environment is always really fun, and we all end up laughing and joking around a lot. Although sometimes I don’t feel like going, I’m happy afterward because it always puts me in a good mood. On the way back to my apartment I usually call my mom, and we catch each other up on our days.
10 p.m. – Finish everything I procrastinated & get ready for bed
Usually by now I’m at least almost done with anything I have due, so I can quickly finish everything up and get ready for bed. Sometimes I’m still chatting with my mom on the phone while I turn in my assignments, so it’s actually kind of fun.
11 p.m. – go to bed
By now, my mom will have either texted me or told me over the phone that it’s late and I need to get to bed. I, of course, always go to sleep promptly when she tells me to so I’m not tired the next morning when I wake up. What a responsible way to end my day! Goodnight!
But for anyone reading this who’s not my mom, I scroll through TikTok for way too long and end up going to bed wayyyy later than I should be and waking up tired the next morning. But hey, that’s what naps are for, right?
