Every reputable college will be a unique and challenging experience for everyone who attends. There are many ways to succeed in this new adventure, so we’ve gathered a few of the best tips to help you start off your college years in the right way.

1. Attend Every Class. The benefits of attending class in college can not be emphasized enough. While you may feel like missing a class here and there won’t affect your education, you’re wrong. Getting the notes from a classmate is not the same as attending, and you’ll be absent for all of the valuable discussion, instructions, and additional information that the professor imparts on the rest of the class. You may even accidentally miss surprise quizzes or assignments.
2. Be Organized. The best way to stay organized in college is to use a planner/agenda. This lets you keep track of all your assignments and tests so you never miss a deadline. Have a study space that is clutter-free, and keep it that way. You’ll be able to find everything you need if you’re running late, and it keeps your mind free to focus on learning the material in front of you.
3. Take Good Notes. Good note taking is essential for good studying. If your professor provides lecture notes online, print them or save them to a document editor so you can make notes during class time. Developing a shorthand is a great way to save time and focus more on your professor, and rewriting these notes later is a great study tool.
4. Manage Your Time. Time management can be the biggest adjustment for someone entering college. All of a sudden, your learning is more your responsibility than anyone else’s. A typical rule is that you’ll need to dedicate 2-3 hours of studying/work time outside of class for every hour you spend in class. This time adds up fast, so section off the hours of your day and dedicate them to certain classes. If you have major assignments, break them down into components and give yourself deadlines for each so you never have to do things last minute. Finally, keep track of midterm/exam dates, and set aside adequate time to study for them.

If you follow all of these steps, you’ll be well on your way to achieving success in every year.