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It happened in high school: You lost your paper, your printer ran out of ink, and your dog ate your science project. But you're in college now, and handing your professor anything but the assignment won't fly. So, what to do?

First, understand that problems like these occur on college campuses everywhere. I have run into my share of last-minute accidents, including an unexpected rain shower that ruined a presentation poster I had stayed up all night putting together. (Lesson learned: Always carry projects in waterproof bags.) I know your first instinct is to panic, but take comfort in knowing we've all been there. It may take a little time and a clear mind, but be creative, because there is a solution -- even if things look cloudy.

Philip Mundo, a political science professor at Drew University, Madison, NJ, says time management is one of the biggest issues for students. "In virtually every case, I imagine procrastination is the problem." Jayne Klenner-Moore, a mass communications professor at King's College, Wilkes-Barre, PA, agrees. She recommends starting projects and papers two weeks to a month in advance, or as soon as the assignment is given.

Such procrastinating predicaments, says King's College Mass Communications Department Head Dr. Anthony Mussari, are "student -made" obstacles. Next on his assignment trouble list are "technology-made" problems, including computer errors and corrupt hard drives, even running out of printer ink. By starting your work early, says Dr. Mussari, these last-minute computer glitches won't affect you. And, he notes you should always save your work with each revision. "You're in trouble if you have poor time management. [If] something goes down, you'll have no backup and no time to redo it," he says.

One technology-based problem I've stumbled upon a number of times is printer ink panic. You know the story: You rush to finish the paper at 2 a.m. the night before it's due, only to realize your ink supply is dry (everyone else was also printing their papers at the last minute). In this case, I usually save my paper on a disk and print it out early the next morning in one of the computer labs. But had I started -- and finished -- earlier, the computer center would have still been open and I would have been able to get a new cartridge without a hitch.

Never Assume
After your paper is saved to disk, you may be thinking you're in the clear. Not so fast! Always back up your work, then back up your backup. Save the file to your hard drive, a disk, and then even e-mail the paper to yourself. The point is, you want your paper stored in as many places as possible, because at least once in your college career your hard drive or floppy disk will inevitably erase. If you have everything backed up in multiple locations, you won't need to worry because there will still be a copy of it somewhere.

Bottom line: It's so important to protect your assignments from the unexpected. If you've painted a picture, take it from me and store it in a waterproof bag so it won't get ruined on the way to class. Growing plants for biology? Throw in some extra seeds in case some are duds. If your project looks even the least bit edible, make sure you label it thoroughly so one of your roommates doesn't wake up looking for a midnight snack and start chowing down on it.

You Might Need Some of This
When mistakes are made and projects are lost, Stress levels climb. Gerry Wall, assistant director of counseling at King's College, says one of the most important things is to monitor the thoughts in your head. "Don't tell yourself you're probably going to fail or that you must get an A. It's important to remind yourself that you're doing the best you can."

She identifies four factors that can add to stress: hunger, anger, loneliness, or tiredness. (Easily remembered by the acronym HALT.) You may feel like you want to sit down and not get up until you've finished your assignment, but it's important to make sure you don't skip meals, and get enough sleep!

Resources Abound - Use Them
Wall says having a strong support group can often help you cope with stress. Being away from home and your main support group -- your family -- for the first time can be stressful in itself. Be sure to find a group of close friends you feel comfortable confiding in who can offer encouragement. Most likely they have been in similar predicaments and will be able to offer some suggestions. Also remember that your resident assistant (RA) is there to help -- it's his/her job -- so take advantage of the free advice.

Strategies can be found on the Web, too. For some quick stress-relieving tips, for instance, visit the online Counseling Center Village at http://ub-counseling.buffalo.edu/anxiety.shtml. If you feel like you've been staring at the computer screen too long, find your friends and take a 10-minute break. Go for a walk, or joke around to burn off some steam. Humor is important, says Wall, so take time to watch a funny movie.

Now that you have a clear mind, you'll be able to look at an overwhelming situation with fresh eyes, and hopefully find a solution. But if you've done everything you can, it's time to look to someone other than your peers.

If All Else Fails...
If you have exhausted all possible options, talk to your professor. Be sincere, and honestly explain your circumstances and everything you have done to amend the situation. "It's best to do this in person, if possible," Dr. Mussari says. "Motivated by fear and insecurity, [students] will use e-mail as a route of escape where a simple meeting with the professor helps give him/her a sense of the student because of tone and body language."

Hopefully your professor will understand and give you a day or two to redo the assignment. Take advantage of the time, and make sure everything about your assignment is perfect. And this time, don't lose it.

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