How I Time-Blocked Movement During Midterms (Without Failing Behind)
Welcome back from Reading Week! Did we do anything fun or did we do some actual readings over the “break”? Midterms turn my planner into a crime scene – the back-to-back deadlines, the stress, and the ‘brain fry’ that goes along with it. So, I set a new rule: if it’s not on my calendar, it’s not real.
I took time-blocking seriously – scheduling movement and daily tasks to non-negotiable slots and suddenly, I had more time for myself and felt more productive without feeling like I was behind. Here’s how you can do the same:
What I mean by “time blocking”
Time-blocking is not just a to-do list; it’s calendar blocks reserved for specific tasks. For instance, if you have a lecture from 11am to 1pm then you block out 2 hours for that time slot. I start with “fixed blocks,” like routine/ritual, classes, meal, sleep, and commutes. Since these are more routine-based events, it’s easier to get an idea of how much time they usually take.
Image 1: Example of Anchor Blocks using Notion
Then I start filling in blocks for other tasks like study, work, and movement:
Image 2: Example of Time-Blocked Calendar using Notion
I use colour codes to categorize different types of events – for instance, purple for routine, green for fitness and wellness, and blue for school. And I sometimes leave buffer blocks for just in case moments.
My Midterm Week Movement Plan
The truth about midterm season is that it’s not that you “don’t have time” to move, you just don’t have time to decide what to do. By the time you’re done with lectures, studied for your tests, and opened your fifth tab of readings, your brain is too fried to make one more choice about the gym. So instead of leaving movement as a “maybe,” or “I’ll see,” I time block it like a scheduled class.
Here are three types of blocks I use to plan my week:
- Fixed Blocks (non-negotiables)
These are the same as the anchor blocks; you can’t escape them. Lectures, tutorials, work shifts, meals, sleep, and commute. They’re the backbone of your week. Once those are planned, everything flows and becomes easier to plan.
- Deep Work Blocks (school mode)
These are 45 minute study blocks where I give the task a specific job title, not just “study.” For example, “Finish SOC essay outline” or “Do 10 pages of reading.” This works because “study” is vague, but “Do X” tells your brain when you’re actually done.
- Reset Blocks (movement + slow-down breaks)
Don’t burn yourself out, rest is just as important as work. These are short (5-15 minute) blocks that keep me going. It can be a quick walk, a stretch, or just stepping out for fresh air. They are intentional, not something you’ve earned after suffering.
The Difference with Time blocking (Before vs. After)
Before adopting the time-blocking strategy, my planner was full of to-do lists, but nothing was getting done. I’d study until my brain malfunctioned, “rewarded” myself with a sweet treat, and then felt guilty for not being productive enough.
Time-blocking didn’t magically give me more hours in a day, but it made my week feel decided. Instead of asking myself 100 times, “When am I going to do this?” I could just look at my calendar and go, “Okay, here’s what I’m going to do at 2pm.” This small change removed so much stress for me. When your day is pre-decided, you feel more relaxed, not constantly negotiating with yourself all day about what your next step is.
The biggest difference was how my breaks changed. Before, breaks were accidental and usually turned into procrastination. Now, they’ve become planned, and I actually take them without feeling guilt.
Here is a free Notion Time-blocking template you can use to start planning. Start small, choose 3 days this week, add 2 reset blocks, and choose one “longer” movement on a lighter day.
Midterms will always be midterms, there will always be another reading, another test, another group chat blowing up at 11:59 p.m. But being intentional with your time can help you to stop living on auto-pilot mode. The goal is not to create a “perfect” schedule, it’s to give your week a plan you can follow when things get chaotic.
Try the time-blocking method for three days, follow it through, be specific with your tasks, and prioritize resets the same way you prioritize “getting things done.” If you miss a block, take a deep breath, you’re fine, don’t stress about it. Consistency isn’t about doing everything, it’s about coming back and showing up. You’ve got midterms, but you’ve also got you, and you deserve time for yourself too.
Quote of the Week:
“We must use time as a tool, not as a couch.” — John F. Kennedy
