1. Keep a planner

The easiest way to keep track of all of your assignments is by writing them down. Whether you use the calendar on your phone, a dry erase calendar on your wall, or, like me, you buy a handheld planner, writing things down can be a helpful way to stay organized. When things get crazy it's easy to miss small assignments that aren't as important as big papers or tests if you don't write them down, and missed assignments add up. Keeping track of all of your work is one of the most important steps to getting straight "A"s.

2. Don't wait until the last minute

This not only goes for doing your assignments but also reading the instructions. Most of the time for a large assignment or a paper you think you know what you need to do and you wait, only to find out there is extra work involved that you can't finish in a few hours.

3. Color coordinate

This one is optional but I feel like it helps me so much. I designate a color for each class and when I write in my planner or my calendar things that need to get done it's easier to see the color and know which class it's for rather than having to write the whole course out every time.

4. STUDY

I am one of those people that hates studying and isn't good at forcing myself to do so, but it really helps when you do. Taking ten to fifteen minutes every day to just read over the material you discussed in class helps you to retain the information for later on.

5. Pick classes you enjoy if you can

The whole point of picking your own classes is to try and take ones that you find interesting. Of course, you are going to have required courses that you need to take, but where you have options, don't stick yourself with classes you think are boring.

6. Don't pick a class at a time you can't focus

If you're not a morning person, don't take morning classes. If you're checked out for the day after five o'clock, don't take night classes. Find out what times you are most productive during the day and try to fit the bulk of your coursework during that period of time.

Overall, there are a lot of different ways to get straight "A"s this semester. Find out what works for you and stick with it.