1. Stay on top of your work.
Make sure that when an essay is due at 11:59 pm on Thursday night, you're not beginning to write it at 2:08 pm on Thursday afternoon. This leads to hurriedness and sloppyness.
2. Keep a calendar.
In the quarter system, deadlines come quickly and they tend to sneak up on you. Personally, I like to use a planner to keep up with everything. I like to think it's another accessory. If you don't like planners, then try a desk or wall calendar.
3. Take thorough notes.
You don't have a lot of time in each class to re-learn what was taught in the last class. Try not to have your professor repeat a lot from the last class by making sure you pay attention the first time.
4. Try not to miss class.
In the quarter system, if you miss a pop quiz or a review session, you can lose a couple percentage points off your overall grade. If you're missing a class that takes attendance, you could be risking even more grade points.
5. Make friends with people in your classes.
You never know when you're going to do a group project or when you're going to need help with understanding something. Make sure you have people that can back you up.
6. Use your resources.
If you have a tutoring center for math or writing like my college does, don't be afraid to use it. If you're lucky, it could turn into a private lesson with a tutor rather than a group tutoring session.
7. Don't be afraid to ask questions.
Your professors don't bite. Some might tease you, but the reason they're professors is because they want you to learn and succeed. Don't be scared to clarify something.
8. Join clubs, sports, volunteer, and just be involved.
College isn't just for education. It's also a social life point. Sometimes, if you're stuck with the same classmates all the time, things can get a little hectic. Get out there and make some friends outside of your little bubble.
9. Learn Time Management.
Learning when to do what can take some practice. You might be used to doing homework in study hall, but in college, all of your free time is study hall. Make sure you set aside some time to work on everything, even on the weekends.
10. Get enough sleep.
You don't want to pull all nighters a lot because it's really unhealthy. Go to bed when you start to feel tired, don't force yourself to stay awake with caffeine. I know that sometimes it must be done, but try not to make it a habit. You don't have a lot of breaks like your other college friends have. Sometimes, your Thanksgiving break is only a couple of days instead of a week. You don't have as much time to catch
11. Take some time off.
The quarter system is overwhelming, at times. You have one class after another and you have assignments out the wazoo, but that doesn't mean you can't take time to explore your campus or a nearby city. You only have it for a couple more years.
