When most people think of college they think either "homework" or "party" or sometimes both. These two activities seem at odds. They are exact opposites. How are you to do both? Study, party, study, party? Well, yes. Trying to figure out how to manage your homework and your social life can be difficult.

Plan and Set Goals -

Planner - Get a planner! It doesn't matter if it's paper or electronic, just make sure you have (and use) one. (And no, your brain doesn't count.) Plan out your days hour by hour. Write in everything you can possibly think of like classes, graphic arts club meetings, work shifts, dates, parties, study group sessions, and so on.

Convenience - Imagine you live far away from any college campus. You won't have to leave the comfort of your home to attend class, and eliminating the commute also helps on your costs.

However, if you stick to your schedule, you will almost always have enough time to both study and play. You need both as a college student. As important as study is, make sure at least one scheduled fun activity makes it into your week, no matter how busy you are.

Establish a Routine -

Study Area - Another helpful strategy for homework is having a special "homework place." This could be a corner of the kitchen, a bedroom desk, a library cubical, or a deserted hallway. Make sure that that place is used only for homework and that nothing else will distract you there. This will help your mind get in the homework-mode. Don't contaminate the "environment of focus" with meals, Youtube, Facebook, or pleasure reading.

A set schedule of what you do during a given day helps you be where you need to be during the day. So take the time to figure out what you want to do during the week, and then construct a routine of when you should go to sleep, wake up, leave for class, and do your homework. If you are pursuing a Graphic Arts degree, setting aside time to not only attend all your classes, but also practice the techniques you have been learning will greatly help you to succeed in your chosen emphasis.

Feed off of each other's example of dedicated study and progress as a team. And when it's time for a break, you'll have a lot more fun with your friends than you would alone! It's a win-win situation!