Be serious about the academic part of your education and give the social dimension secondary importance. Convince yourself that your grade point average (GPA) is better for your plans than having the finest seats at the game. Buy a Day Planner that shows the week days and each hour of the day. Write the times you will study in your planner. Stick to your schedule and try not to study past midnight. Get at least eight hours of sleep each night.
Choose a spot in your home where you can concentrate and be comfortable at the same time. Make your surroundings simple, but intellectually stimulating. Make sure you have plenty of light and that it is quiet. Avoid distractions like the TV or rock music.
Purchase whatever will help you improve your study habits. For instance, buy a comfortable chair, better lighting, comfy slippers, or a larger pillow. A straight, hard back wooden chair in a cold environment will get uncomfortable quickly.
Study when it is quietest in your home, when possible. Get out your books and read long assignments when things are quiet. Ask a roommate or family member to answer the phone and door when you are studying. Have them take messages or let the answering machine kick in.
Select a place in the classroom where you are least distracted, like the front row of the class. Being close to the instructor helps you concentrate on what he or she is teaching. Don't chat with other students or work on homework for a different class. Write down any questions you have, and ask the professor about them. Listen to the questions and answers other students bring up as well.
Take copious notes. Re-write the notes later and read them regularly. This helps to ingrain them into your mind. Do not cram information in your mind at the last minute, or you may draw a blank. Listen carefully to any instructions the professor gives and write them into your Planner. This will give you an edge on completing the assignment correctly and on time. Failing grades often result fro not following directions correctly.
Complete any extra credit work the professor assigns. This straightforward step may help your grade go up immensely. Doing all extra credit work can potentially put you in a "safe zone."
Utilize the library as much as possible. Look up information in other sources to gain a wider view on the subject. Study at the school library for exams given that the environment is one of academia and silence.
Improve your time management and study habits on a continual basis. Utilize tutors, participate in study groups, and find a mentor that will challenge you.