Taking on a full course load in college can be quite a burden. Trying to juggle 18+ credit hours, a social life, and often a part/full-time job is no easy task. It’s even more difficult to earn high grades in your classes when you have so many responsibilities, but it is possible! Here are some tips that’ll help you get the most out of your packed schedule.

1. Hit the books ASAP

Most universities will allow you to get your textbook a week or two in advance. If you’re able to get your books early, hit them early. Don’t wait until classes start to knocking out the smallest books (especially if you’re taking some literature classes).

When you finish reading the few short books, you won’t have to go back and read them when the rest of the class catches up with you. If you’re really good at reading, you may even try tackling the big books. But for sure get the small books out of the way up front.

2. Get in good with your professors

Now you don’t have to be the teacher’s pet, but honestly, that won’t hurt your grade. Sit up toward the front in class, be an active participant in class discussions, and ask questions when you have them. Essentially, being engaged with your classes will help you understand the material better, and heighten your chances of getting a good grade.

3. Analyze all your syllabi and plan a course of action

Typically, your course syllabus will detail all of the assignments for the semester, and what will be happening in each class each day. From these syllabi, you can then organize your plan of attack. My advice is to complete easy assignments first so that you can devote more time to working on larger papers and projects.

I typically stay a week or two ahead in all my classes because I go to school and work full-time. By doing this, it allows me to take a few days off from homework should I need a break or to focus on something else. Following step one is also key to getting ahead in your classes.

4. Delay pleasure for the short term so you can have it for the long term

Working ahead on your assignments means that the first week or two of classes will be a hassle; but once you get ahead, it’s much easier to stay ahead. Most campus clubs and activities don’t meet up during the first week of classes anyway, so that leaves you some extra time to get ahead. Once classes begin, and you’ve already completed the first few week’s assignments, you have some free time to spend at your leisure!

The point:

Be proactive to avoid procrastination. It’s a time-honored tradition to pull an all-nighter fueled by pizza and Red Bull, but it’s definitely not the healthiest way to get work done. I have to say that despite taking 18 credit hours while working 36 hours a week, so far this semester has definitely been my least stressful. I owe all of that to these four tips. I hope they can work for you too!