• Prioritize: Trying to absorb the course requirements and instructor expectations on multiple syllabi can be a daunting task. Many a student has exclaimed, "There is no way I can accomplish all of this in fifteen weeks! Do they think I'm taking only their class!" Well, to some extent, yes, they do. But you can make all of it seem much more doable if you take the time to break all of the assignments, tests, papers, projects, etc., into short and long-term goals. Write down all of your tasks for the week, the month, the semester. Sort them into three groups: 1's, 2's, and 3's. The 1's are essential; do them first. The lower level priorities can usually wait - but not forever!

• Work Time: Try to determine how long and how much energy each task will take. Will you need to go to the library? Are you required to turn in an outline or a preliminary draft? Will you need to build in meeting times if this is a group project? Sometimes, factoring in the task's priority level helps you to determine how much time a task will take.

• Relax: Everyone needs down time, so build some into your weekly schedule. The mistake that many college students make, however, is taking too much down time. Time off is earned, not mandated. Use down time as a reward for completing a task. You'll enjoy your time off more if you know that you aren't neglecting a necessary assignment.

• Flexibility: Allow some extra time for unforeseen obstacles. Stuff happens. Printers run out of ink. Power outages occur. Obligations to family and friends sometimes interfere with the best laid plans. Managing all the "stuff" is much easier if you have left yourself some flex time.

• Floating Tasks: Floating tasks can be done anywhere, anytime. Carry the novel you have to read for class with you. Take your index cards or study sheets with you to review while waiting for an appointment. In this way, if you have to wait, you can use the time constructively.

• Survival: Self-sacrifice and denial are just a part of exam week. Know that you will have to make academics a priority above all others during midterms and finals. Other than food, water, and sleep, everything else should be put on hold.

Using a Planner

• Purchase a planner. Planners are available in the campus bookstores and at any off-campus office supply store. On-campus planners are pre-printed with many of the events happening on campus as well as University dates and deadlines - very helpful!

• Determine the type of planner that is right for you. Planners come in monthly, weekly, or daily views. If you have many assignments or items you need to record, you may consider the daily view. If you like to see everything you need to do at one time, you would work better with the monthly view. If you like to see one week at a time, go with the weekly view.

• After receiving your syllabus for each class, note the information in your planner. Include: homework assignments, test dates, the date of the final exam in each class, project deadlines, reading assignments, and any other due dates that are mentioned within your syllabus.

• Pre-plan! If you have a paper due at the end of the month, put a note in your planner two weeks prior to the deadline to remind yourself that the paper will be due soon.

• Color coordinate! For example, highlight all of your class information in yellow, your social activity in orange, and your work information in blue. Find a system that works for you and stick to it.

• Keep your planner with you at work and at school. Your planner is a great place to jot down ideas, goals, make checklists, and help you remember tasks. To stay organized, have your planner with you at all times.

Schedule Planning Tools

• How do you spend your time? Fill in this worksheet with what you do in a normal school week. Use the results to figure out where you might have some extra time. See how you can improve your schedule. Click here to calculate your weekly time schedule.

• Utilize the weekly planning grid to schedule your study, class, work and social commitments. Remember to be realistic. It's a great idea to wake up at 8:00 A.M. on a Saturday to get your studying completed so that you can relax Saturday night, but will you realistically drag yourself out of bed at 8 A.M. on a Saturday?

• Utilize the semester planning grid to plan all academic events throughout the semester, including start-up and due dates for papers and projects and all major tests.

Avoiding Burn Out

• Take 12-15 minute study breaks every hour and a half or so.

• Visit the Student Recreation & Wellness Center- burn off your stress or schedule a massage in the Wellness Suite.

• Sleep! Naptime isn't just for kindergarteners.

• Make a "to-do" list so that you can see the progress you are making.

• Set aside time before going to bed to relax and unwind - don't study right up until bedtime.

• Stick with the 60-hour principle: 2 hours of study time outside of class for every hour in class. For example, if you are enrolled in 15 hours, you should be studying at least 30 hours outside of classs. That leaves only 15 hours per week for work.

• Switch from an off-campus job to an on-campus job. On-campus jobs are often more accommodating of your hectic schedule. Click here to view available on-campus employment.

• Learn how to say "no." Although you may think you can do it all, can you do anything well if you're spreading yourself too thin?

• If you are feeling burned out or stressed, the Counseling, Testing, and Career Center offers both personal counseling and a variety of workshops on coping with stress. Click here for more details on their services.

Physical Symptoms of Stress

• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Inability to focus
• Lack of concentration
• Sexual problems
• Sleep disturbances
• High blood pressure
• Sweating palms/shaking hands
• Anxiety
• Heart problems

Behavioral Symptoms of Stress

• Irritability
• Over-eating or under-eating
• Harsh treatment of others
• Increased smoking
• Increased alcohol or drug use
• Isolation from others
• Compulsive shopping