Fall semester has started for me as well. I've got a number of different projects I'm working on all in parallel, and am concerned about falling too far behind on any of them. I'm currently using a two-pronged strategy to try and keep my head above water on all of them: first, routinely discussing the next step and my progress so far in my diary (which I'm doing about twice a week now, but the frequency may increase), and second, trying to devote at least one block of time to it each week. (For example, I have a lot of papers to read through, and so I plan on doing that from ~9-5 on Wednesdays at least, and probably on other days as well.)

I'm not sure how effective the second will be- my emotional expectation is that regulating time inputs is not as effective as regulating mood inputs (i.e. I should work on project X when I want to work on project X, and not work on it when I don't want to work on it). My rational expectation is that regulating time inputs will be effective (and/or is the best way to regulate mood inputs).

(Other suggestions for ways to ensure progress / excite interest in a particular project are welcome.)