So many students have busy lives in which they juggle commitments to family and work while trying to complete their college education. With a little bit of planning, smart scheduling can help you reduce and manage the stress that comes with such a hectic life.
When planning a semester schedule, it might be helpful to have a calendar in front of you to pencil things in so you can get the big picture before you make any solid commitments.
When deciding which classes to sign up for, the first consideration should be for your fixed commitments like work, caring for family members, time for faith activities, and so on. Don't sign up for any classes that will interfere with those obligations. Leaving work early all the time to go to classes will be frowned upon (unless you have made prior arrangements at work), and arriving consistently late to classes will not be looked upon positively by most instructors either. If you have a part-time job with a flexible schedule, it is essential to discuss your plans for the coming semester with your boss or manager.
Be sure to factor in things like travel time, finding a parking space, having something to eat before class, using the restroom, and following through on any on-campus errands. If your schedule has no planned time for these activities, it is almost a certainty your stress levels will be soaring some days.
Work with an academic advisor to choose classes that fit with your program plan and your schedule. They are experienced at helping students figure out the best way through their degrees. Academic advisors are part of what you pay for with your tuition; take advantage of their help.
Are you a morning person or an evening person? If you can, schedule classes for the times of day when you are the most alert. This, of course, is not always possible, but it can be really helpful to tackle a class that is a particular challenge for you when you are feeling sharp.
If your class schedule includes a significant break between classes, use that time on campus wisely. Study, review notes, do research, run errands -- there are many possibilities. It's good to plan for a little down time or socializing in there, too.
Choosing a mix of classes will help keep your mind more refreshed during a school day, make life more interesting during the semester, and be less likely to lead to excessive stress. Get your basic general education classes out of the way as soon as possible and step through the series of classes in your major in a logical order. I have seen some students put off taking certain classes to the point where they had no choice but to take multiple highly demanding classes in their major during their last semester before graduating. That is not a good recipe to do well in those classes, or to put yourself in a situation where stress will be easy to manage.
