Buy a datebook if you don't have one. You can use a personal digital assistant or an old-fashioned paper datebook. Carry it with you everywhere, every weekday.
Enter all your class times into the datebook, and note midterm and finals weeks. Enter any other permanent commitments, as recommended by Virginia Tech's Cook Counseling Center, such as a standing tutoring appointment or time that you have to put into work-study financial aid. Next, note assignment due dates and test dates as they are given to you. As important, enter social activities as they arise.
Review your datebook daily to stay on task. Look at the day and at the week. This should only take a minute or two, but doing so will make it hard for you to forget about that quiz on Friday.
Carry all necessary books and materials that you will need for the day with you so that you can use time between classes wisely. California Polytechnic State University's Student Academic Services recommends spending time between classes doing "floating tasks," which could include assigned readings, making notes for writing projects and recopying class notes, not just to make them legible, but because doing so will cause you to recall the material more easily and may prevent you needing to cram for a test. Frantic cramming as well as poor grades may be a result of poor time management.
Arrive at every class a few minutes early and spend those few minutes reviewing your notes from the last class, which will reinforce the material, turning those few minutes into valuable study time.
Plan for social time and relaxation, recommends California Polytechnic State University's Student Academic Services. It's OK to have some social fun or just watch television or play a video game, as long as you have finished other tasks necessary to your academic well-being.
Start studying for major exams up to two weeks ahead of time. This will allow you time to make a comprehensive study guide, get tutoring if necessary and arrange for group study sessions.