When it comes to organizing in our hectic modern world, it's always easier to keep up than to catch up. By mastering the basics at the beginning of the academic year, you will minimize time-crunch issues later on.

Here are some essentials:

Set up a calendar.

• Record all known due dates from each course syllabus.

• Add tasks in the spaces corresponding to when you intend to do the actual work.

• Break up long-term assignments into pieces that can each be completed in an hour or so.

• Add sporting events and social commitments, so you'll be able to more easily see conflicts.

• Color code items for easy recognition.

• For important events, program a reminder into your computer or mobile phone.

Create a weekly schedule.

• Decide when you intend to do your homework. It does not have to be the same time each day. You might study, for example, from 6:00-8:00 on Mondays but from 4:30-6:30 on Tuesdays, etc.

• Again, be sure to include sporting events and social commitments.

• Include mealtimes.

• Arrange your life so that you can get at least 8-9 hours of sleep each night. Sleep is a critical ingredient in learning and memory.

Keep an assignment book.

• Use one with dates already printed in it.

• Keep your assignment book open and on your desk during every class, for easy access.

Organize each study session before you begin.

• Decide the order of tasks. (Usually the most difficult first so that tasks will get easier as you get more tired.)

• Memorize in short bursts of 15 minutes or less.

• Learn concepts and do reading in longer segments of 30-45 minutes.

• Take a five-minute break every 45 minutes or so. Take a walk or do some other physical activity. Then get right back to work.