Five Things to Start Planning Today

From quick fixes like picking out your outfit for the next day, to preparing for that dream road trip, here are five things that deserve a little neuroticism and you should start planning now, whether you’re a Type A or elegantly go with the flow!
 
1.     Plan your outfit the night before. You don’t have to lay it out, but simply knowing which cardigan you’re going to pair with your skinny jeans will make the morning much less stressful. Just think: all that time you spend going through your closet could better be spent on a little extra beauty sleep.
 
2.     Plan a workout routine. Finding time to workout can be a challenge, especially at DePauw. The structure will make it easier to stick to your goals and harder to skip out because you “don’t have time.” Better yet, a written plan may help you stay on track.
 
3.     Plan a girls’ night out. It’s the greatest escape from a stressful week. Happiness is contagious, and your friends are bound to make you let your hair down and laugh. Plus, going out with your girls boosts your ego. People are bound to stare when they see genuinely giddy girls having a great time, and who doesn’t like a little attention?
 
4.     Plan a budget. Everyone worries about finances, but if you’re proactive now, you’ll grow to be more responsible with money and end up better off in the long run. Plan when and where to spend your extra cash (on clothes or vacation), and then stick to it! You’ll feel empowered when the time comes to pay the bills and your husband doesn’t have to take charge. Plan now, enjoy later!
 
5.     Plan your bucket list. Sitting down and thinking about what you want out of life can seem daunting, but be specific and you’ll get so much satisfaction from crossing things off! Cross-country road trip and bungee jumping? Check!
 
One thing not to plan: your life after college. Forget the “Five-Year Plan”—there should be no strict timeline for achieving milestones in your life, like having a job and being married by 26, two kids by 30. It is better to have fluid goals rather than to commit to something because you have to (should). Instead, wait for things that truly make you happy.