Incorporating Daily Study Routines

Today marks the 1,088th consecutive day that I’ve opened up my Timehop app on my iPhone—that's one week shy of three years!

It’s a routine I’ve fallen into. And each morning, I look forward to what I may have done last year, two years ago, and even as far back as 14 years ago. Reflecting on and seeing what I did—and sometimes accomplished—in the past gives me a sense of happiness. Whether it’s seeing pictures of finishing races, celebrating family gatherings, or re-experiencing the growth of my kids, the daily task of swiping left through Timehop is something I look forward to each day.

Looking through Timehop has become a habit. But it wasn’t always that way.

During the first hundred days or so, I would have set reminders to check Timehop. Sometimes I would forget, and my counter would reset to zero days, and I lost my streak. But through time and repetition, the routine became something natural and automatic. I didn't have to be reminded. I just did it.

While checking Timehop seems pretty insignificant, it does present a micro-example of the importance of routine.

Check out Northwestern Medicine’s Health Benefits of Having a Routine.

"People are creatures of habit, and routines offer a way to promote health and wellness through structure and organization. Having a routine can greatly improve your health."

- Northwestern Medicine

Routines can be immensely helpful to those working their way through law school and preparing for the bar exam.

So, before you kick off your day, and before time starts to get away from you, consider doing these short activities even before you do a deep dive into your day’s to-do list.

• Do some practice questions—Complete 10 multiple-choice questions or work through one essay question.

• Spend some time reviewing notes from the previous day’s classes.

• Take 30 minutes to work on your course outlines or flash cards.

• Plan how you’re going to schedule your day and think about when you’re going to complete specific assignments.

By spending less than an hour each day accomplishing some significant tasks even before you begin your day, you'll gain a sense of accomplishment that will jumpstart the rest of your day.