Topic and Time

Ever since learning how to express when something occurred/is occurring, I've wondered about the proper sentence order for those expressions. In some sentences I've seen the time ("In September"), followed by the topic ("I"), followed by anything else ("will go to Japan"). In others I've seen the topic written before the specified time. This has been bothering me because I always want to know if I should have the time listed before the は particle, as that would seemingly include it as part of the topic. Well, I finally have an answer after posting this question on the WaniKani forums.

In general, it is preferable to begin sentences with the topic, then follow that with any time specifications. This is because, in Japanese, you almost always want to follow the format of Topic -> Comment, even if that comment is time-related. I've often written sentences the other way around because it felt more natural, but I was wrong. So to be clear, I need to write like this from now on.

私は九月に日本に行く。
I'm going to Japan in September. (I'm not :( )

アヤトは七時半に起きる。
Ayato gets up at 7:30.

ライトは毎日科学を勉強する。
Laito studies science every day.

リーさんは週末買い物に行く。
Lee-san is going shopping this weekend.

スバルは今夜家で晩ごはんを食べる。
Subaru is eating dinner at home tonight.

Now, I need to eternally remember this. I know there are instances where including the day/time with the topic would make sense, mainly for emphasis, but in general, the above sentences demonstrate the preferred ordering.