I am supposed to graduate in March of 2015, and in order to do that, I'm having to take all self-directed research classes. This means I won't be really attending class, and it will probably be more like "light" versions of what PhD and Masters students do for their research careers. What would be the best way to schedule my days so that I dont get overwhelmed or lost along the way? I do have a job, but it is so flexible that it is the last thing I consider when figuring out my schedules.
Schedule out your weeks so you know what you want to get done; be sure you schedule in some extra time in case you don't stick to your schedule, and then go have fun if you do stick to the schedule. They key is to making sure you can get everything done without burning out. Keeping a regular schedule and having actual goals for each day really helps. Checking things off listen always makes me feel accomplished.
I often schedule backwards; figure out when stuff is due and then figure out how that is going to happen.