Get a calendar and USE it— starting with the first day of the semester. This will be your most valuable tool to keep you on track.
Read the syllabus from each course thoroughly during the first week of the semester. Don’t wait until the second or you’ll already have lost valuable time. Mark down on your calendar all assignment due dates and exams. (If an assignment doesn’t have a due date, give it one).
For any research projects or group assignments, make a schedule on your calendar for how you’ll complete each of them. Include “begin research for history paper” on one day, “complete outline” on another day, “begin first draft” on another day. Breaking big projects up into smaller pieces and giving yourself deadlines for each will help you stay on top of them.
Calculate roughly how many hours you think each assignment will take. Practically everything takes longer than you think it will, so build in extra time from the start, and you’ll have plenty of time to complete your work.
Learn to say "No" Because your time is so precious, you can’t do every favor that’s asked of you. If someone asks you to do something you don’t want to do, simply look at your calendar. With a schedule like yours, chances are you’re already booked anyway. So you don’t have to feel guilty. Just say, “No, I’m so sorry, but I can’t help you [insert whatever]. I have to [insert your other obligation here].”
Plan to work on projects or get reading done during parts of long weekends and vacations.
Plan to have fun. It’s important to enjoy yourself on a regular basis in order to keep your mind clear for the academic stuff. So look on your school’s website for schedules of sports and other events, and write them in on your calendar.
Maximize the little chunks of downtime. Be sure to always have one of your books from class with you, so you can read during slow periods at work, while you’re on a bus or train, or in between classes.
At the end of each day, reward yourself for the work you’ve done. Giving yourself incentives such as “If I read two chapters of philosophy, then I’ll break to watch a movie at 11” will help you make sure you get your work done.
Choose the right study environment. Maybe it’s the library, maybe it’s a local coffee shop that will let you hang out as long as you buy one double grande mocha latte. Wherever it is, make sure there are few distractions so you can concentrate. Don’t choose a place where you’ll run into people you know, and don’t study in bed— you’ll end up taking too many breaks or you’ll fall asleep.
Be aware that your school’s computer labs might get crowded at certain times. Ask the computer lab attendant when they’re least crowded.
If you have trouble getting all of your work done or if you start to fail a course, call your Office of Student Services immediately and ask if there’s a tutor who can work with you one on one. If that’s not an option, go to your advisor and explain your trouble. He or she will be able to help you find resources to get you on track. The sooner you go for help the better.
