Obtaining a degree requires taking all the required courses. This can be challenging, especially if your school faces budget cuts and can't offer classes as frequently or with as much allowed enrollment as would be ideal for you. Each term, before registration opens, take some time to go through your course catalog and list of available courses for the next term. Figure out which courses can best move you along the path to your degree. Have at least two back-up choices for each course. Have your list handy and be ready on your computer or on the phone the moment enrollment begins. While it may be inconvenient to stay up late or get up early to enroll at the very first moment possible, achieving your term-by-term enrollment goals will help you keep your path to your degree short and direct.
Each term, figure out how much you can reasonably tackle. It's better if you get good grades, or at least pass, in two classes than failing or scoring poorly in four. Evaluate your personal and work schedules and any distractions in your life that might keep you from devoting the time and effort necessary to do well in multiple classes. Plan to succeed in whatever you take on.
Everyone runs up against a particularly challenging subject. Determine your areas of difficulty and make it a goal not to overload yourself with challenging courses in any given academic term. For example, if you struggle with mathematics and physical sciences, then don't take chemistry and physics in the same term. Instead, sign up for chemistry in combination with two subjects that come easily to you, such as English and psychology. Take physics next term. Make it a goal to have each term feel manageable.
At the beginning of each academic term, take the time to organize yourself. Review the syllabus of each class and create a calendar for yourself of projects, quizzes, exams, papers and due dates. To the greatest extent possible, map out your term so that you can look at your week or month and know what deadlines and tasks are ahead. Use this to manage your time and balance your coursework so that you always feel on top of things. Take whole academic terms and break them down into bite-size pieces.