If you get distracted easily like me, you’ll find that it’s an effective solution to sit in the front row of large lectures. I’ve found that I spend more time people-watching than paying attention to the lecture when I sit anywhere but the front of a large lecture hall.

Book group study rooms in your library. If your libraries are anything like mine, they’re always packed. This guarantees that you have a silent place to study. This is a lifesaver during finals week.

Don’t procrastinate. It’ll only hurt you and your grade. If you do procrastinate, choose sleep over your assignments. Spend all night perfecting that last minute paper because as soon as you turn it in you’ll have plenty of time to sleep.

Read everything. This is the easiest way to learn your material, and your professor is bound to put a question on your exam that exclusively pertains to the readings and not the lecture.

Go to your professors’ office hours. Building a relationship with your professor will help your grade and can get you recommendation letters.

Ask for help. Whether it be from a fellow classmate, a tutor, or your professor, if you are struggling, DO NOT be afraid to ask for help.

Invest in a planner. It doesn’t have to be a fancy name brand planner, but it will be your best friend. Write down every single reading and homework assignment you have, and analyze your due dates several times a day.

Dedicate an entire day each week to catching up on school work. It’s inevitable that you’ll get a little behind in your classes. If you set aside a day to get caught up, you’ll feel much more prepared.

Dedicate an entire day each week to relaxing. Don’t overwork yourself. College can be extremely stressful and dedicating an entire day to hanging out with your friends or just some alone time can really help clear your mind.

Learn from your mistakes. If you get an F on an exam, study harder next time. You’re paying for this education so you might as well make the most of it. If you must, drop the class and try again next semester.