So as we all know, school is officially in full effect. Labor Day weekend has passed, and there is not really any more scheduled breaks or extended weekends until Thanksgiving. So it's time to tough it out and grind towards those As.

But with every hard path, there are a few shortcuts to help along the way. I've found these to be some solid cheat codes for a great semester, especially with exams on the horizon.

1. Ask the teacher for permission to record the class.

Whether you get to video record or use the voice recording app on your phone, this trick is a lock to help with studying and note-taking. In lectures, the teacher practically gives you the answers: definitions, explanations, dates and even randomly extensive speeches that include examples. You might not like the idea of hearing your professor's voice outside of class, but it's your security blanket if you miss something. Plus it's a good excuse to keep your phone on the desk.

2. Get a study buddy/group to get you through the grind.

All the people in your class are in the same boat as you. Might as well link up, so you might as well make some friends and occasionally have a life saver every now and then. This is helpful whenever you need a second pair of eyes to look over your notes or even spot you the notes you miss class. If I want to get an A and you want to get an A, we might as well be friends, right?

3. Keep an eye out for your class's Elite Notetakers.

There are students all over campus that work with StudySoup: Elite Notetakers and other similar companies. I'm an Elite Notetaker myself! Our overall job is to make study guides so you don't have to. If you have one in your class, take advantage of that and keep your eyes on your email when they send those guides out. It'll save you time and act as a good refresher.

4. Note cards are a study gateway.

Note cards are the quick and handy version of your notes that come in clutch during those last-minute cram sessions. Note cards might seem tedious to make, but they are a simple tool to use for memorization and can act as a more aesthetically pleasing version of a study guide. Use some different colored pens, make it look good, and get to studying!

5. Write and type in warm colors.

It is scientifically proven that warm colors like red and orange have a more significant effect on attention than cool or neutral colors, like gray or black. If science says that writing in red pen betters my chances of getting an A, then I'm going with science. Memorization is huge when it comes to testing taking, so the price for a pack of red pens sounds like a steal if it helps.

These may only be a few smaller changes to make, but these little changes have the chance to make a huge impact. With these cheat codes, you will breeze through quizzes, skip through the first few exams and beat down on the final. Now go out and beat the boss, happy studying.

#StudyHard