Pay attention in high school. Respiratory care programs--like most educational programs centered around the allied health professions--delve heavily into science and mathematics. Give yourself a proper foundation by excelling in math and science classes like algebra, biology, chemistry and physics.
Form good study habits. If you don't have or aren't sure if you have good study habits, seek help. Respiratory care programs are based on specific scientific concepts--the answers aren't open to interpretation. Either you're right or you're wrong; either you know it or you don't. Pay attention in class, take neat and well organized notes, review your notes within 24 hours after each class and take advantage of your professor's office hours, even if you think you don't need to. If you ask, professors will often tell you exactly what you need to focus on for upcoming exams.
Invest in a medical dictionary. An education in respiratory care will be filled with scores of complicated, never-before-seen medical terms that may confuse and frustrate you and may cause you to complete your reading assignments at an excruciatingly slow pace. As you move through the medical dictionary, look up study terms you don't understand and peruse the book in your spare time. Eventually everything will begin to click.
Remain serious. It's true that you will be in college, and temptations will be strong. Remind yourself everyday that once you graduate sick people will believe they can trust you with their health and well-being. Ask yourself: in an emergency situation, do you want to recall the proper life-saving protocol or how much fun that party was last Saturday night?
Surround yourself with like-minded people. Remember that you are not alone--there are other fun-loving young people on campus, just like you, who feel inspired to heal the sick. Seek them out, and support one another. Form study groups with people who will encourage and uplift you, not tempt you away from your goals.
Keep your tests. Don't simply accept your wrong answers--go back and review until you learn and understand the correct answers. This will not only help with your classes but will also prove to be an invaluable study guide when you prepare for your certification exam.