There's no doubt about it, the transition from summer vacation to back-to-school is not always flawless. It's hard to imagine going to class every day, writing papers, and studying for tests when just a few short weeks ago we were all soaking up the sun. It's even harder when there is so much to do at college besides academics: club meetings start back up, sorority and fraternity events begin, and of course, you don't want to miss all of the parties on the weekend. However, we can't forget that the reason we came to college was to learn. Here are some foolproof tips to survive the academic side of the dreaded "first semester back".

1. Utilize office hours.

Professors hold office hours for a reason. Trust me, they notice who shows up and who puts in the extra effort.

2. Befriend a classmate.

There's nothing worse than entering a class and not knowing a single person. In order to have someone to study with and ask questions, it's worth introducing yourself and getting their phone number.

3. Actually do your assigned reading.

This is fairly self-explanatory, but you cannot expect to do well if you're not keeping up with your work outside of class.

4. Keep a planner.

I'm so guilty of not using one, but it really can make or break your grades. There's always that one professor who forgets to remind you about assignments, and by the time college rolls around, it's really up to you personally to keep track of everything going on.

5. Ask and answer questions during class

Being engaged during class will tremendously help you. Don't be afraid of having a stupid question or giving the wrong answer, you're still doing better than the people who didn't speak up.

6. Start your own study group.

The only thing better than suffering alone is suffering together.

7. If a subject is difficult, get a tutor.

Sometimes even just hearing the same information presented in a different way can help lock it into your memory. Most schools offer tutoring services at little or no cost!

8. Help out your classmates when you understand something and they don't.

Chances are, down the line they'll understand something that you don't. People are much more willing to help you when you have helped them in the past.

Sure, college is a ton of fun. But we can't forget the real reason that we're here: to succeed academically. Hopefully the above tips will help ensure that you have a great semester.