Getting into a Routine My First-Year
Arriving at Barnard meant I would have to create a different routine to accommodate for new classes, friendships, and extracurriculars. After the first several weeks which I spent getting into the habit of finding classes, balancing schoolwork, and adjusting to the sounds and sights of New York City, I began falling into a rhythm that became my new life routine throughout my first year.
During both the fall and the spring, my earliest class started at 8:40 am twice a week, and my latest class ended at 4 pm. While many people harbor strong opinions about the 8:40 time-slot, it somehow took me two terms to figure out that I, personally, do not enjoy waking up and heading to class before 9 am, even if my high school schedule started consistently at 8:30.
For each of my early classes, I found a friend or two with whom I would eat breakfast before class. Not only did it keep me accountable for waking up and getting ready on time, but it was also incredibly valuable time spent with friends I wouldn’t otherwise get to see. After class, I usually headed back to my room or met up with my roommate somewhere on campus to take a break (usually including coffee or a pastry.)
In the beginning, I tried to start homework soon after finishing class, though I quickly realized that I needed a pause before hitting the books later in the evening. During this break, I did something unrelated to schoolwork whether it was watching Netflix, calling a friend, or hanging out with hallmates. Around 6 pm, I grabbed dinner with some friends before heading to a library or lounge where I’d spend the better part of the evening studying.
College also pushed my sleeping schedule back by a few hours, and late-night chats and laughs with my best friends are definitely the best memories from my first-year. Even among any school or life stress otherwise, I knew I could count on ending the night with a smile.
My extracurricular engagements look different week-to-week, but most Monday nights, I spent an hour discussing and bonding with other members of the Mixed Heritage Society. Before arriving on campus, I was nervous I wouldn’t immediately find a group or club that I felt I ‘belonged’ in, but joining MHS halfway into the fall semester was one of the best decisions of my year. About once every two weeks, I would head into the Columbia Spectator’s office for a night of production that varies in length but includes several rounds of edits on a piece I had usually been working on for at least a week. In the spring, I was lucky enough to be cast in a Black Theatre Ensemble one-act, and while we never got to share our work with the community, I always looked forward to our weekly rehearsals to take a step back and delve into the lives of our complex and beautiful characters.
I didn’t have class on Fridays which was largely on purpose so I could have a flexible day to get a head start on schoolwork and explore the city. Every Friday looked a bit different and I enjoyed looking forward to an early start to my weekend. Sometimes I would hunker down at a café and read and write, and other Fridays I slept in, got lunch with friends and studied if it was a particularly busy weekend.
Every Barnard student has a different rhythm and beat to their week, and it’s been a true exercise in independence and lifestyle choice to create a personal routine that prioritizes friends and schoolwork, while also setting aside time to rest. As you consider what your college life will look like, don’t forget to take care of yourself and remain patient as you navigate all the wonderful nooks and crannies of Barnard!
-Defne Egbo