• Start by writing in your classes and any other regularly scheduled events (such as employment, student organization meetings, team practice times, etc.)  
• Then, write in blocks of study time. Allow about three hours of study per week for each class credit (e.g., nine hours of study each week for a 3-credit class). Add another hour per credit for online classes. As a rule of thumb, you should plan to put in about 4 hours per week per credit between class time and studying. Some classes will require more study time, some less, so use your own judgment. Remember though, being a full-time college student and doing it well takes as much time as a full-time job.
• Space your study time out throughout the week. For example, rather than study math for 9 hours straight on Saturdays, study math for three hours at a time on three different days. This will allow for better reinforcement of your learning and help you to avoid 'brain strain.' 
• Schedule in some flexible study time to accommodate fluctuations in work load. One week you may use this time to do extra work on an English paper that is due; another week to study for a Biology exam.

Prioritize

• Many college students are involved in extracurricular activities and/or have jobs. Some have family obligations to consider as well. If you have interests and commitments that compete for your time and you do not have as much time to commit to studying as you need, you must decide what your priorities are. If being successful in college is a top priority for you, you may have to make some sacrifices in other areas. Otherwise, it may be best to reduce your credit load or postpone college.  
• Each week, list all of the reading and assignments that you need to complete that week. List all of the exams that you need to prepare for as well. Then, identify those tasks that absolutely have to be accomplished this week; mark them with the number 1. Next, identify those tasks that have to be done eventually and should be done this week, but could be postponed until next week; mark them with the number 2. What remains should be those tasks that you should do if you have time but could get by without doing; mark them with the number 3. Now, set about accomplishing the number one tasks. Avoid the temptation to start with the low priority tasks just because they are easier.

Set Goals: Divide and Conquer

• If you have a lot of studying to do for one class and feel overwhelmed, break it down into smaller tasks. Rather than try to read three whole chapters at once, focus on one chapter at a time, or just part of a chapter. As you complete each task, your progress will become more apparent, your learning will be better organized, and the work will seem more manageable.  
• Group information into categories in order to study related materials in logical chunks. If you have a long list of vocabulary terms to study, break it down into several smaller lists, each with some unifying factor (even if it is just that they all begin with the same letter). Keeping 'chunked' information to seven items or fewer when possible will make memorization easier.
• Make flash cards and carry them around with you. Put only one piece of information on each card, with a clue on one side and the answer on the back. Pull them out whenever you have a few minutes to kill (like when you are waiting for class to start) and review them. (Why waste time when you have so little of it to spare?) Test your ability to recall the answer looking only at the clue. Make it a goal to be able to go through the whole stack of flash cards without having to peek at the answers on the back. If you have lots of cards, group them into smaller categories and practice the stacks separately.
  • Save money and avoid the temptation to put too much information on any single flash card by folding a piece of 8.5" x 11" paper in half 4 times, unfolding it, and cutting along the creases. This yields 16 flash cards perfectly sized for wrapping in a rubber band and carrying around in your pocket or handbag.