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!