How to Deal With Your Workload in College
- 1). Purchase a day planner and write down every single thing that you have to do for class. Organize it so you can flip to the day and see what's due. If you get a class syllabus with all the due dates and test dates, enter these into your planner at the beginning of the semester. That way, you'll know about your assignments way in advance.
- 2). Do your homework a few days before it's due. Plan a day to study and do homework for each class. For example, maybe you'll study and do all of your homework for math on Monday nights, biology on Wednesday nights and English on Thursday nights. If you have nothing due that day, see what's due for the following week. Getting it done early keeps you one step ahead.
- 3). Limit your social activities to certain days. If you prefer to go out on the weekends, plan your activities for Fridays and Saturdays when you won't be studying. If there's a social activity during the week that you want to attend, plan your studying and homework for a weekend day. When that day rolls around, honor your commitment and stick to it.
- 4). Talk to your employer about your schedule at the beginning of the semester. Plan your work schedule around your classes, but leave time for studying and homework. If you plan to study three days a week, work the other two days or in the mornings before your classes. Don't overwhelm yourself with your work. Your grades are more important.
- 5). Visit a college counselor if you're too stressed out with your workload. If you feel you can't handle it and your grades are suffering, reduce your workload by dropping a class. You can make up for it over winter or summer sessions.
- 6). Get a tutor or visit your teacher's office hours if you need extra help in a class. If you don't understand something on your own, you're unlikely to learn it by staring at it for three hours. Instead of wasting your time and stressing out, get help with the material.
- 7). Plan your classes at times that work best for you. If you're not a morning person, and know that you won't be able to get up for your classes, plan them for the afternoon instead. College is flexible and you can often take classes in the afternoon or at night if you prefer.