Develop a Realistic Schedule

Before the start of your first semester (ideally), develop a reasonable schedule and plan for tackling your academic work. Take an honest look at your current schedule and develop a realistic plan for managing your new responsibilities as an undergraduate student, while also prioritizing yourself and your loved ones. Many students have jobs, commute, engage in co-curricular activities, and have familial responsibilities. You may need to consider what current responsibilities and time-consuming activities you will need to forgo to have enough time for your academic work. Remember, as a student, going to class is not enough. You need to attend class and also set aside time daily to prepare for class, completing any required readings, homework, projects, and other assignments. Writing down your schedule (on paper or your computer) can help you stay organized and be successful.

If you ever feel overwhelmed, the University offers a range of mental health, academic, financial, and other resources available for you to access. These are discussed in the next chapter.

Note:  The original text has been adapted and edited for content and tone to better suit the intended audience.