Plan ahead, do some work every day, and visit your campus writing center for help, if you need it. Be Disorganized. You can't work effectively if your notes, books, and other materials are scattered all over your dorm room or car. Designate a place for everything and put things away when you're finished with them. Use a hole punch and three-ring binder for handouts rather than a pocket folder, so they'll be less likely to get lost. Finally, refrain from lending books and notes. If someone else is careless with your things, it can be disastrous for you.

Don't Bother to Sleep. If you're determined to flunk out, make sure that you consistently stay up too late. Don't forget to pull an all-nighter at least once a week!. Seriously, take care of yourself by getting enough rest. Gaultney (2010) found that many college students are at risk for sleep disorders, many of these the result of what she calls "poor sleep practices." Try to go to sleep at a reasonable hour each night, at least during the week. A twenty-minute "power nap" in the afternoon may help, but don't sleep any longer than that, or you may have trouble falling asleep at night.

Party! Go fetch your toga and get ready to have a good time. You can stay up too late and drink enough beer to make sure that you are ineffective...

Don't wait for Friday or Saturday night. Party every night of the week and it will be impossible to go to class or get any work done! Does this sound like someone you know? Everyone likes to have a good time, but the reason you're at college is to prepare for the future.
Success in college is up to the individual. You may not earn straight a's, but good work and personal habits will help you get the most from your education. Hoyert and O'Dell (2009) found that older college students (aged 24 and up) earned higher grades, on average, than students aged 18-23. it's not that the older students are, as a group, smarter than their younger counterparts. They are successful because they have established goals and developed the work habits necessary to earn good grades.

References

Gaultney, J. (2010). The prevelance of sleep disorders in college students: impact on academic performance. Journal of American College Health 59 (2), pp. 91-97.

Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database.

Hoyert

, M.S., & O'Dell, C. (2009). Goal orientation and academic failure in traditional and nontraditional age college students. College Student Journal 43 (4), pp. 1052-

1061. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database.