Professors in college don't baby you like your high school teachers did and that definitely comes as a challenge to many people during freshman year. I personally fell behind a little bit once starting here at Ole Miss. It took a little while but I finally learned some tricks that help me stay on top of things while living on my own.

1. Use your planner

There are so many things that go on in college it's impossible to keep everything straight without writing it down. If you aren't for the planner, try using the reminders app on your phone. As long as you write the important dates down, it's easier to stay on top of things.

2. Make lists

My roommate and I started making a list every Sunday of all the things we need to get done that week. We leave them on our desks and cross things off as we go. It helps to have a visual of how many things you have so you can plan out your study and social time.

3. Keep a clean room

My room in high school was the exact opposite of clean. It's still just as hard to keep my room clean now as it was then, but I've gotten so much better. Keeping a clean room makes it easier to focus on important things that need to be done and help you stay organized.

4.Remember why you're there

College is so much fun and there are so many opportunities to hang out with your friends. The best part is, your parents aren't there telling you what you need to do or saying no if you want to go get food at midnight with your friend. That also makes things harder because nobody is holding you accountable for your grades.

I often have to remind myself why I'm here and that missing a party or skipping on dinner with your friends isn't going to matter. It's important to keep your eye on your future and focus on making the grades you need to be successful.

Staying on top of things in college is a lot harder than I expected. Everyone goes through the transition period and struggles to get used to being 100% on your own. Keeping your grades up is crucial for success and staying organized is the way to do well.

There are many different ways to do well and different things work for different people. These are just 4 of the things that help me strive for A's.