By Sarah Epstein, Assistant Editor

Did you know that for every hour you spend in class, your professors expect you to spend 2-3 hours studying the material on your own? That means if you're a full-time student attending class 15 hours a week, you should spend between 30 and 45 hours a week studying outside of class. You might also have to manage working, fitting in time for friends and family, and finding time for extracurricular activities. Oh, and you're also supposed to sleep eight hours a night.

It can seem daunting when you do the math, but don't let it totally overwhelm you. If you know how to take charge of your schedule, you're life can be totally manageable.

Here are a few tips on how to beat the clock in college:

Study in spurts.
People retain the most information when they study for short periods of time. So, when you find yourself waiting 15 minutes for class to start, pull out your flash cards, read through your notes, or crack open a book. Don't let that time go to waste.

Stay a day ahead.
Professors usually pass out a syllabus during the first class period that contains all the important dates to remember throughout the semester, such as exams, papers and assignment due dates. Embrace this document! It can be your greatest asset if you complete all of the readings a day ahead of time. During class you won't be scrambling to take down notes. Instead, lectures will be a review of what you already know.

Get a plan!
Buy or make yourself a daily, weekly or monthly planner. This essential tool will help you remember important deadlines and dates, like when your exams are or your mom's birthday. Why keep all that information in the back of your head when you can just write them down?

Know yourself.
Are you a morning person or a night owl? Knowing when you're at your most productive can help you tackle demanding tasks with greater ease. If you have more energy in the morning, then rise, shine and crank out those research papers.

Avoid procrastinating!
Cramming during all-night study sessions just adds unnecessary stress to your life. Why race against the deadline-packed week of finals when you can prepare yourself throughout the semester? Here's a little secret about higher education: success has little to do with your I.Q., but everything to do with time management. Sticking to a workable schedule can help you make the most of your time in college.