earlier than other students, and you'll be able to use that information more effectively when you write your second paper. At the same time, if all your assignments are papers, and you finish them all early, then you can, for all practical purposes, be finished with the class and have your final grade a few weeks before it officially ends. What a relief!

Whatever you choose to do to remain efficient in school, make sure planning is a big part of it. If you start on the research project at the beginning of the semester, then when you run into problems part of the way t

When you were in high school, making the grade may have been all about cramming the night before the test. Once you reach the university, though, and especially in graduate school, succeeding is all about efficiency. Your ability to plan will determine your success, particularly if you're balancing school, work, and family.

1. Read Your Syllabi

When you receive your syllabi for a semester, read them carefully. Make sure you understand all the requirements for the class, when the assignments are due, and on what basis your grades will be determined. Knowledge is key to your success. If you have any questions, ask them as soon as possible, before your confusion turns into a low grade on an assignment.

2. Keep a Detailed Calendar

Once you read through your syllabi, create a calendar that includes the assignments for all your classes. Make sure you differentiate between classes by using a color-coded system or a statement about which assignment goes with which class. This will save you lots of confusion later, and you can see exactly how much you'll need to do each week to stay ahead. Make sure you include class reading on the calendar as well so that you don't forget about it.

3. Work Ahead

Since you have everything listed on a calendar, there's no reason for you to overlook any assignments or readings. The most important thing you can do, though, is work ahead. There are always going to be emergencies, but if you work ahead, they won't be such a big deal. Plus, when you find that there's something you really want to do, you'll be able to do it since you'll already be ahead on your assignments.

4. Prioritize

Let's admit it, there will be times when you just can't finish everything. This is where you need to prioritize. Can you overlook that reading in one class in order to finish the paper for another class. Sometimes we might be tempted to do the reading since it's easier (I'll admit I've done it), but that's the worst thing you can do. Finish the more challenging, more important project first, and then catch up on the rest later.

5. Turn in Assignments Early

If your teachers will let you, turn in your assignments early. If you're writing a lot of papers, this can be a great idea as you'll get feedback from your first paper earlier than other students, and you'll be able to use that information more effectively when you write your second paper. At the same time, if all your assignments are papers, and you finish them all early, then you can, for all practical purposes, be finished with the class and have your final grade a few weeks before it officially ends. What a relief!

Whatever you choose to do to remain efficient in school, make sure planning is a big part of it. If you start on the research project at the beginning of the semester, then when you run into problems part of the way th

key to your success. If you have any questions, ask them as soon as possible, before your confusion turns into a low grade on an assignment.

2. Keep a Detailed Calendar

Once you read through your syllabi, create a calendar that includes the assignments for all your classes. Make sure you differentiate between classes by using a color-coded system or a statement about which assignment goes with which class. This will save you lots of confusion later, and you can see exactly how much you'll need to do each week to stay ahead. Make sure you include class reading on the calendar as well so that you don't forget about it.

3. Work Ahead

Since you have everything listed on a calendar, there's no reason for you to overlook any assignments or readings. The most important thing you can do, though, is work ahead. There are always going to be emergencies, but if you work ahead, they won't be such a big deal. Plus, when you find that there's something you really want to do, you'll be able to do it since you'll already be ahead on your assignments.

4. Prioritize

Let's admit it, there will be times when you just can't finish everything. This is where you need to prioritize. Can you overlook that reading in one class in order to finish the paper for another class. Sometimes we might be tempted to do the reading since it's easier (I'll admit I've done it), but that's the worst thing you can do. Finish the more challenging, more important project first, and then catch up on the rest later.

5. Turn in Assignments Early

If your teachers will let you, turn in your assignments early. If you're writing a lot of papers, this can be a great idea as you'll get feedback from your first paper earlier than other students, and you'll be able to use that information more effectively when you write your second paper. At the same time, if all your assignments are papers, and you finish them all early, then you can, for all practical purposes, be finished with the class and have your final grade a few weeks before it officially ends. What a relief!

Whatever you choose to do to remain efficient in school, make sure planning is a big part of it. If you start on the research project at the beginning of the semester, then when you run into problems part of the way t

the calendar as well so that you don't forget about it.

3. Work Ahead

Since you have everything listed on a calendar, there's no reason for you to overlook any assignments or readings. The most important thing you can do, though, is work ahead. There are always going to be emergencies, but if you work ahead, they won't be such a big deal. Plus, when you find that there's something you really want to do, you'll be able to do it since you'll already be ahead on your assignments.

4. Prioritize

Let's admit it, there will be times when you just can't finish everything. This is where you need to prioritize. Can you overlook that reading in one class in order to finish the paper for another class. Sometimes we might be tempted to do the reading since it's easier (I'll admit I've done it), but that's the worst thing you can do. Finish the more challenging, more important project first, and then catch up on the rest later.

5. Turn in Assignments Early

If your teachers will let you, turn in your assignments early. If you're writing a lot of papers, this can be a great idea as you'll get feedback from your first paper earlier than other students, and you'll be able to use that information more effectively when you write your second paper. At the same time, if all your assignments are papers, and you finish them all early, then you can, for all practical purposes, be finished with the class and have your final grade a few weeks before it officially ends. What a relief!

Whatever you choose to do to remain efficient in school, make sure planning is a big part of it. If you start on the research project at the beginning of the semester, then when you run into problems part of the way t

sh everything. This is where you need to prioritize. Can you overlook that reading in one class in order to finish the paper for another class. Sometimes we might be tempted to do the reading since it's easier (I'll admit I've done it), but that's the worst thing you can do. Finish the more challenging, more important project first, and then catch up on the rest later.

5. Turn in Assignments Early

If your teachers will let you, turn in your assignments early. If you're writing a lot of papers, this can be a great idea as you'll get feedback from your first paper earlier than other students, and you'll be able to use that information more effectively when you write your second paper. At the same time, if all your assignments are papers, and you finish them all early, then you can, for all practical purposes, be finished with the class and have your final grade a few weeks before it officially ends. What a relief!

Whatever you choose to do to remain efficient in school, make sure planning is a big part of it. If you start on the research project at the beginning of the semester, then when you run into problems part of the way t

earlier than other students, and you'll be able to use that information more effectively when you write your second paper. At the same time, if all your assignments are papers, and you finish them all early, then you can, for all practical purposes, be finished with the class and have your final grade a few weeks before it officially ends. What a relief!

Whatever you choose to do to remain efficient in school, make sure planning is a big part of it. If you start on the research project at the beginning of the semester, then when you run into problems part of the way through, it's no big deal. You'll have time to fix everything. So let yourself relax by being proactive and efficient in school. You'll thank yourself in the end.