Here’s how to build an effective daily schedule.
Start with the foundations. Take out your calendar or planner of choice,
and fill in the fixed elements that you must attend and cannot change – think classes,
small group sessions, club meetings, and the like.
Next, determine your sleep and wake times. Don’t skimp here!
Set aside 7-9 hours per night for optimal sleep.
After that, determine when you’re going to exercise. By making exercise a priority in
your life, you’ll enjoy the sweet cognitive benefits of brain derived neurotrophic factor,
or BDNF, and have an edge over those who don’t.
Lastly, fill in your meal times.
Once you’ve laid the foundation for your schedule, adjust the details.
The main element we want to optimize for here is your focused work and study time. This is the most
mentally taxing time of the day and should be when you get the bulk of your work done.
Determine when you are most focused throughout the day and schedule deep
work during those times. Remember, everyone is different. Find what works for you.
Now that you have your schedule, all that’s left is to put it into action. Just make sure
you continue to assess and refine your schedule to make it perfect for you!