Stay organized and know what's ahead. Pay attention to your course syllabus and get an idea of what is coming up so that you can schedule your time accordingly. By planning ahead, you can avoid inevitable project crunches and schedule conflicts that can negatively impact your GPA.
Don't get distracted. It is important to be social in college and make friends, but this should not be an excuse to cut class or avoid homework assignments. Attendance and practice work for your classes reinforce what you learn, and skipping them means you won't be able to keep up with your courses.
Keep a steady pace, and don't cram. If you study a little bit every day, then you will remember more than if you cram a lot of information into a short amount of time. A steady study schedule will help you to retain more information for midterms and finals, which will impact your grades positively at the end of the semester.
Build a network of professors and peers to help you. There are many resources available to help students succeed. When you are struggling, it is important to seek assistance. Professors' office hours are meant to help students who have questions outside of class. Take advantage of study groups and tutoring sessions; connecting intellectually with other students will help you to maintain your academic edge in the classroom.
Know when to take a break. It is important to remain focused, but do not forget to take time for yourself. Stress can build and negatively impact your grades. If you maintain your schedule and are consistently keeping to your studies, then you should have a very healthy GPA. Remember to take a break every now and then to keep your stress in check. Play a game, exercise or just visit with your friends.