Go to your classes and pay attention. While this seems self-explanatory, many go to class and don't pay attention. Also, don't waste too much time writing notes as this can distract you from what your professor is saying. Join in on the discussion whenever possible.
Look over your schedule and figure out the best way to manage your time. Determine if you have any workable free time in between classes. For instance if you have an hour or two in between two courses, you can use this time to work on some homework. You will have to set aside time that is meant for studying and doing homework anyway. Doing some work during the day will open up more free time after class.
Study a little bit each day to avoid cramming. Doing this will prevent you from spending a whole night trying to memorize everything you need for a test and getting stressed. You will remember things more easily and in the long run will free up more time.
Eliminate all distractions while you are studying. Put your computer away and turn off your TV. Find a quiet place to do your work such as the library, but you do not have to limit yourself to one place. In a New York Times article, it was reported that moving around while studying actually helped students retain information. Figure out which method best works for you.
Take short breaks periodically. After every hour or so of study, take a short 15 to 20 minute break to allow your brain to process all the information that you took in. This can be tricky as you will be tempted to extend your breaks, but fight the temptation.
Reward yourself whenever you do well on a test, quiz or on the night of studying. Obviously these rewards should not be anything grand, but go out of your way to do something you enjoy with a mindset that you earned it. On the flip side, if you do not do well, punish yourself by abstaining from a few things you enjoy.
Eat your meals and do not skip out on breakfast. On top of all of the health benefits, starting your day with a routine like eating breakfast will aid your concentration and set the tone for the rest of the day.
Take naps. This can be especially helpful when you need to process a lot of information. In a study published in Science Daily in April of 2010, scientists found that taking naps and dreaming helped the brain improve memory and learning. If you do this, make sure you have an alarm handy to wake you so that you do not sleep for too long.
Get a good night's sleep every night. Going to class sleepy, or even taking an exam tired, will drastically affect your performance. Avoid this problem by just going to bed when you should and not oversleeping.
Join study groups. The cliche that "two heads are better than one" applies here. In study groups you will have to explain and teach parts of the material that you understood better than others, and they will do the same for you. This process of teaching actually helps you retain the information as your brain has to rework it to explain it to others. Be careful here as study groups can get off track.