A Day into Julian’s Life
- Julian Stainback III
- Sep 7, 2021
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 8, 2021
“90 things on your plate and you’re looking for the 91st.” - Mike Castellucci.
That quote describes what each day is like for me in college. People ask me all the time do I ever have time for myself. Short Answer: Depends. Each day is a relatively busy one, but I have fun in the end. Here’s what a typical Monday looks like for me now:
8:00 a.m.: Plan
The first thing I do every morning is plan out my day at my desk over a light breakfast. Planning is a critical part of my day because I have a sense of organization and structure. Plus, I’ll be able to plan for anything that may go awry during that day.
Each morning, I plan:
Classes
Work
Extracurriculars
Any activity that may want to attend
It can sometimes take up to 30 minutes to plan out a full day. But it pays off in the end.
9 a.m.: Work, Work, Work!
The first part of my Monday consists of going to my favorite job, The State News. I am a social media producer, which fits perfectly with my major and what I want to do after college.
I have my own office hours for which different editors can come and discuss anything from advice to collaborations. It’s my second semester with The State News and highly recommend it for any college student looking for experience in reporting, editing, and writing. Every day is a new adventure.
12:40 p.m.: Focal Point
My first class on Mondays is Focal Point, my favorite class by far! This is my fifth semester working as a producer for Focal Point and have taken on a leadership role for my third semester.
I took this class because I was interested in what being a news producer is like. I remember my first role of being the social media producer. My job at the time was to maintain the social media platforms by posting teases, sparks, etc. I loved doing that. Plus, I got to be in an actual studio to help time and pace the show, and this is what inspired me to become a news producer. It is a tough class, but it definitely pays off to see your vision of a newscast go live on the air. See the video below:
This semester, I have taken on the role of executive producer. My job entails producing the show from start to finish, keeping everyone on task, assignment managing, and other duties as assigned. I work with other senior leaders as well as my professors Bob Gould and Mike Castellucci to produce a weekly, cohesive 30-minute newscast that broadcasts live every Friday during the Fall and Spring. Super excited to be back on the team! After class, I go to get a light lunch so I can power through my last Monday class.
3:00p.m. Multicam Production
The next class is Multicam production, which helps with my media and information major. I have a wonderful Professor, Lisa. I had her for two summer classes last year and with Focal Point.
This class teaches me about Multicam production and how to use studio equipment. Plus, I know some people from years ago that are in my class. How fun!
5:00 p.m.: More Planning + Homework
After classes and work, I go back to my desk for some more planning. This time, I check emails, Slack, and social media. Next, I start planning for the next day.
Next, is my biggest challenge: homework. I use the method I like to call: The Upside-Down Pyramid Method.
The Upside-Down Pyramid Method involves taking each class and ranking them from hard to manageable. This would, in turn, help you determine what class to work on first and last. In my case, my upside-down pyramid would be:
I study for at least three and a half hours studying for each class, especially for my online class.
7:30 p.m.: Meditation Time
After a long day, I finally relax through mindful meditation. Fun fact that if it wasn't for LOT more stressed. I'm able to adapt and strive in a high-stress environment. I highly recommend Calm. Calm is a self-meditating app that has tons of helpful tools to help you relax and self-soothe. I use the app every day to help me get in tune with my inner self.
Since I receive a higher dose of stress than most people my age, I listen to Radical Self-Care with meditation teacher Lama Rod Owens. He is great at helping people create a nourishing practice of reflection. When I meditate, I have a sense of tranquility within myself. Fun fact: meditating is the number one reason why I'm always positive throughout the MSU community. I aim to spread positivity and hype everyone's day. Words of encouragement go a long way and for some, it can really uplift them.
9:00pm: Flex Time
After meditating, it's FREE TIME! This is a time where I can kick my feet back and relax. Another fun fact is that I love to play Rocket League, Smash Bros, and Forza Horizon 5. I'm an avid streamer with my roommates with over 1,200 followers on Twitch.
Most times, I bing watch Bar Rescue on Paramount Plus. It's like Kitchen Nightmares, but for bars. It features Jon Taffer, a world-famous bar consultant who has helped rescue countless bars across the U.S. He's like the Gordan Ramsay of bars because his tactics portray it.
I'll either mindfully walk or go on a jog around campus as it keeps me in shape. Exercise is another framework that helps manage my stress. I've started weight lifting and it is by far great! I also enjoy TikTok as it is where I've learned a thing or two.
This is what a normal Monday looks like for me thus far. While it is busy, I do make time for breaks, naps, and self-care. Curious to see what Tuesdays are like? Comment down below!
*In between the above times, I go to extracurriculars, get food and take small naps.*
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