At this point, I have been in college longer than some of you have probably been alive and I have learned, the hard way, that college is not like high school in any way. So here are a few tips that I have accumulated along the way that will likely boost your grades and help you avoid having to move back in with mom and dad.

1. Invest in a planner.

In high school, it was so easy to remember every meeting time for every group you were involved in, every practice for every sport you participated in and every homework assignment that was due. When you get to college it is like your brain takes a turn for the worst and suddenly you can't remember what day it is, let alone that you have an online quiz due at midnight. Do yourself a favor, take a trip to Target and find a planner with a large amount of space for daily reminders.

2. Go to class.

As a college student, you most likely do not have your mother making sure you don't press snooze through all three of your alarms you had set and making sure you get to class every day and on time as you did for the majority of your life. Therefore, very quickly, your college career may go down the toilet.

Yes, half of your classes may have all of the lectures posted online and the test dates announced on the first day, however, those tricky participation points and attendance points will catch up with you and next thing you know you are failing half your classes and now your mom has moved in and you wish you would've persevered and made it to that Psychology lecture on Monday and Wednesday mornings.

3. Find a routine that works.

First of all, whatever you do, do not put yourself through the torture of classes before 9 a.m. It does not matter what you did for the first eighteen years of your life, it is not a good idea. Other than making time to go to class every day, set out some time for meals, whatever you choose to do in your "free time" and especially for homework. By making a routine for yourself throughout the week, it will be less likely for you to fall behind and for you to make excuses for yourself.

4. Don't procrastinate.

This is self-explanatory; you hear it from your parents, your friends, your neighbors, your priest, literally, anybody that can speak, don't procrastinate. That eight-page research paper is not going to write itself and doing it the night before after your intramural basketball game at midnight will not do.

5. Invest in yourself.

Invest in yourself, your mental health, your physical health, take time to do what you love and what makes you happy. It is essential to put time aside everyday to workout, play video games, drive around and bump Kanye West, whatever it is, do it everyday before or after your homework and life will be sweeter. I promise.