An important aspect of succeeding in college English is doing the required reading. Whether the class is literature or technical writing, you will need to review the material before you can write or take a test. Some students attempt to just get by with listening to the lectures, but that is rarely enough to complete the assignments successfully. You can't take a test on a book in a literature class if you haven't read it, and you can't write a proposal for technical writing if you haven't read about the subject and reviewed some examples.
Taking notes is vital for remembering key terms and retaining essential information. There are many methods for taking notes. Some students prefer to use a variety of highlighters: one color can be used for key terms and another for important information. Others prefer to write out notes longhand or write them in their text. Taking notes or highlighting pertinent details will give you guidance when it comes time to write the essay or to study for an exam.
Grammar and its usage matter more than you may realize. Not only will your mastery of grammar have a direct impact on how well you do in any English class, but it also impacts how people perceive you and your writing. One study by Larry Beason indicates that business executives and others in the workplace attribute common grammatical mistakes to personality flaws in the author, such as laziness or lack of professionalism. Learning good grammar and the rules of usage now will benefit you throughout your life.
Many students fail college English courses because they get behind and have a difficult time catching up. Good writing is rarely accomplished in a frenzied effort two hours before the essay is due, so plan ahead and get your writing done a day or two ahead of time. This will not only give you a cushion of time in case an emergency situation happens, but it will also allow you to have time to revisit the essay later and proofread it or to have a friend review it before submission.