University courses -- particularly liberal arts courses -- tend to have very little contact time. This does not mean they do not require very much work; rather, they require independent study. To ensure that you don't fall behind, you should set a clear time and place where you study a little bit from each course every day. There's always reading to do for class, or essays to study for, or information from previous lectures to go over, and you should devote at least an hour a day to doing this. This will keep ideas fresh in your brain and ensure that you are always prepared for your classes.
While study is an important part of university success, it is not the only important part. You also need to be social and meet people. This is partly for your own sanity, but also for the job market in the future. Networking and knowing people is an important part of getting a high-quality job, and if you don't spend any time meeting people, you will be a step behind when you graduate.
So join clubs, play sports and generally be social. Don't overdo it, though -- if you're out partying four nights a week until the small hours of the morning, it is going to be extremely difficult to stay on top of your studies.
University life often involves living on your own, cooking your own meals and generally functioning as an adult. However, it also involves studying full-time, which means that you are not likely to have as much time to work as you would if you weren't studying. This reduces your income, and to avoid the stress of not being able to pay your bills you should make a clear budget in order to stay on top of things. If you are financially sound, you will be less stressed while studying or in class, which will improve your academic performance.
Regular exercise is also important for your academic performance, social skills and general well-being. This will improve your ability to concentrate, give you more energy and generally make you feel better about yourself. It will also set excellent habits in place for your post-graduation life.
Universities tend to have extremely high-quality sports facilities, so you should take advantage of these while you are studying. You can combine your social life with exercise by joining a social or intramural sports team, too.