College life is hectic on its own, but when you add taking care of a furry friend to the mix, things can get a bit more challenging. Does that mean that it's impossible? Of course not! Dogs bring so much joy to our lives, and having your little furball with you while in college can be just what you need. Here are some tips that can help you juggle your college obligations and take care of your dog.

1. Create a Schedule

First things first, you need to figure out how to balance taking care of your dog and your classes. Think about your dog’s needs first. For example, they need to:

• Be fed
• Go for a walk and “do their business”
• Exercise
• Go to a groomer (maybe)

You can also set a date when you'll go shopping for food, medicine, take your dog to a groomer, etc. If you have it on your calendar, you won't have to deal with last-minute shopping. Now, you should look at your schedule and organize how you'll pull this out. Preplanning will help you stay organized and come through with all your obligations.

2. Exercise with Your Dog

Engaging in physical activity is essential to keep your body in mind healthy despite all the college stress. Why not connect yours and your dog’s needs in one? Take your dog with you when you go jogging, and you’ll both get a chance to release the extra energy. “I love to exercise with my dog,” says Rose Garrison, a writer and editor at TrustMyPaper and TopEssayWriting, “My little Max was actually the reason why I started jogging back in college. He needed the exercise, and I did too, so jogging is where we found mutual grounds.”

3. Be Prepared

Buy everything you need to take care of your dog. Prepare a little corner for your best four-legged friend. Get a small stash of food. If you prepare the necessities, you’ll be less stressed about your obligations. What you also need to prepare for is cleaning. “Keeping your dorm room clean is your responsibility. I had to step up my cleaning game when I brought my Bailey into the dorm. That is a must if you don't want to get on your roommate’s bad side,” shared George Partridge, a graphic designer and contributor writer at GrabMyEssay and SupremeDissertations.

4. Hire a Professional Pet Sitter

Both you and your pet need someone on whom you can count on. That someone is a pet sitter. As a professional, pet sitter can take on your pet parent responsibilities whenever you need them to. They can handle dog walks throughout the week and weekends (if needed). Or, he/she can handle trips to the groomer, vet, etc. Most importantly, they love dogs, and they know how to take care of them. To find a pet sitter, head to Find a Pro Section of the NAPPS website and take your pick.

5. Have a Back-up Ready

When something unexpected happens, and you don’t have the time to hire the dog sitter, you should have someone who is ready to jump in. If it occurs that you get stuck in a class, you don't want to start texting everyone you know in a panic, asking them to feed your four-legged friend. Have a few people on whom you can rely and who are willing to step in when you get in a jam.

The above-mentioned tips will hopefully make taking care of your pet a little easier while you are in college. It’s all about good organization and preparedness. When you create a plan that accommodates both your and your pet’s needs, you shouldn’t have any trouble with sharing your college life with your pooch.

BIO: Kristin Savage nourishes, sparks, and empowers using the magic of a word. Along with pursuing her degree in Creative Writing, Kristin was gaining experience in the publishing industry, with expertise in marketing strategy for publishers and authors. Besides working as a freelance writer at ClassyEssay, she also does some editing work at Subjecto and BestEssaysEducation. In her free time, Kristin likes to travel and explore new countries around the world.