keeping up my strength while going thru college ?

Well I've started college for the first time like 3 weeks ago and its been pretty smooth but its been on my mind lately that to keep good grades I may need to put chess completely to the back burner and this just completely scares me. I think that by doing this when I finally get back around to chess i'll be to rusty to try for some goals seriously (rather not say cause im not in the mood for critics). I gave up chess before for like a year when I was 11 and when I came back it felt like having to start all over again I was so rusty. I do plan to put chess aside but before I make this big life decision (it is one for me) I wanted to ask does anyone know how to actually keep up ones stregth thru college and to come back to the game at least the same stregth ? I wanted to what other players have done to do this if its possible ?

I fit in chess into my college schedule.

College+classes was not so busy for me :D

Maybe keep a few 3 day games going so that when you need a break from study, you have immediate chess waiting for you.  With 3 days to make a move there is no pressure either.  Since you can use opening books and databases, the opening phase of the game is much easier as well and you get to review your openings with each game.   Probably wouldn't be a bad idea to have some way of training tactics as well, whether online or any of the commercial programs; again just to take a break from study and allow your mind to shift gears.

Thanks guys and yea it really isnt to busy but it might end up being that way furthur down the line especially for my academic goal (get all As).

I gave up chess once I started college. Too many women, no time for chess anymore. I didn't miss chess at all.

You retain just about all of your strategic knoweldge.  Most the rust in my experiance is with calculation and tactics.  Personally I'd suggest doing 30 minutes of tactics a few times a week.

college doesnt take up that much time honestly. i just started college, and ive still been playing chess almost as much as in highschool

I've taken two separate ten year hiatuses from the game. Each time I've quickly regained, and then surpassed my previous playing strength, but my peak potential has probably been haircut significantly as I have very little time for the game at this stage of my life.

Surely you can keep playing, if only casually, throughout college. A college experience devoid of extra-curricular activities (though I don't really mean chess) is a college experience wasted. Find time for it all.

I should add that the first time I came back to the game was while I was in University, not the other way around.

Yes