Go to class!

I know this is another common sense one but seriously I have friends who won't go to class and the are bewildered by their terrible grades.  I go to a smaller school, so this may not be true in other places.  Teachers almost always give hints or just blatantly tell you what you need to know and what to forget about.  I sometimes drag myself to class but I hardly ever miss for this reason.  Plus I have heard (and I may be wrong) but if you are looking into public service or a large corporation and your school takes attendance they will also look at those records.  The logic goes a little something like this...You have a 4.0, great your bright but are you going to show up for class.  Like I said I may be wrong because this is just hearsay, but wouldn't it be unfortunate if it were true.  Plus if you are like me you're paying to be there might as well get your moneys worth.
 

Work smarter not harder!

The most useful thing I learned was to find out what is expected of me as soon as I begin the class.  Yes I mean read the syllabus.  I know it sounds like common sense, but I have countless friends who will get mediocre to bad grades because they had no idea what was expected of them.  I periodically consult these to make sure I am on track and no surprises are in the future.  If you know this you may be relieved or overwhelmed but at least you are informed.  Next, I have found the key to getting good grades on exams is to be persistent with the TA or professor about what material is going to be on the exam.  This makes for a much easier time studying.  I hate to study material that is irrelevant to the exam.  Yes, there are those teachers too that include something from their rambling lectures, notes, and text.  While those exams and classes aren't so fun they are doable.  If I have a ridiculously boring teacher that includes their lectures on their exam I record them.  The best $20.00 dollars I have ever spent.  Most of the time I can hear myself sleeping in the background when listening to playback.  You are supposed to ask to record, but I never have.  I have also found in essays when you regurgitate the concepts from the lecture in a similar fashion the teacher is flattered and your grade reflects it.  My favorite teachers are the ones who teach what you need to know and leave it at that.