Being a student-athlete has many rewards—the relationships I’ve built, the opportunity to compete, and the chance to grow every day. But behind all of that is the structure that makes it possible. For me, routine isn’t just a habit; it’s the foundation that keeps my academic life, basketball, and well-being moving in the right direction. Building and sticking to a schedule is one of the most important things I do for myself.

At Wesleyan, there are a lot of obligations and responsibilities that I am constantly managing and weighing throughout the day. While one of the common statements about being in college is that you have a lot of free time, I often try to make sure I am being as productive as possible.

Whenever I plan out a week, I start with the “givens”: classes, practices, lifts, and team obligations. Those are the non-negotiables that anchor everything else. Once I see those blocks laid out on my digital calendar and written planner, I can start filling the open spaces. Shooting workouts, lifts, recovery sessions—those always come next. On a typical week, I’ll shoot four times during the weekdays, two times on the weekend, and lift three to four days depending on the team’s schedule.

After basketball and academics are set, I build in everything else: meetings, SAAC, TA sessions, and any events I know about ahead of time. That’s where most people stop, but for me, creating a full routine goes deeper than that. I add sleep targets, nutrition planning, and even the small gaps in my day where I can rest, stretch, or reset.

Waking up and knowing exactly what the day looks like brings me a sense of calm. I always aim for 8–9 hours of sleep, especially catching those key hours between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. for the best recovery. I plan out my meals the same way—protein, carbs, greens, and the smoothies I rely on after lifts. Even my on-court workouts are written out in detail so I never waste a rep.

Routine keeps me grounded. It gives me clarity, discipline, and the confidence that I’m doing everything I can to better myself as a player and a person.