[Students may freely employ or disregard the following as they please. By personal experience and observation, I have determined that these behaviors tend to be effective in producing acceptable grades. They are in no particular order, and there are no guarantees expressed or implied.]
1. Attend all classes, whether they seem helpful or not. The more times that one is exposed to information, the better the retention. In addition, this will prevent nasty surprises like rescheduled tests and assignments from slipping by unnoticed.
2. Read and fully prepare all materials before the relevant lecture; comprehension and retention will improve substantially. Make every possible effort to solve problems and find solutions by yourself. The purpose of the lecture/discussion is to clarify and extend concepts, NOT to distribute answers to particular problems but to provide guidance so that the student may attain the ability to solve entire classes of problems. Personal effort and discovery are the essential factors.
3. Do not allow yourself to get left behind. Seek assistance promptly.
4. Make use of all possible chances for credit, whether you need them or not. No one ever lamented having too many points.
5. Write down detailed notes of each lecture. Include every definition, statement, or mumbling; what seems obvious at first hearing may not otherwise be easily recalled on a test.
6. Use two colors of ink for note taking: red for key terms, definitions, formulae, etc. and blue for the rest. Leave blank lines around important data and between each complete thought. Draw and label whatever the professor does. Writing improves memory, and the style and content of a lecture often reveal the test questions that will come from it .
7. Date each day's notes in the left margin and write down assignments prominently at the top margin of the last page of each days notes.
8. Sit in the front center seats at every lecture. There is a strong correlation between this habit and high grades. One can see and hear much better. In addition, professors will be more likely to remember you, e.g. a better recommendation.
9. Form study groups to prepare for class and tests. Those who have a firm grasp will benefit from teaching, and those who do not will gain the insight of their peers.
10. Read and review materials and notes throughout the semester. Review the sections of the text and notes for a test on the night before a test. Do not stay up so late as to disturb your sleep schedule. Review only your notes (or tables etc. from a text) on the day of the test. RELAX! Once the test begins, there is nothing further that can be added to your knowledge or ability. The only thing left to do is to get as much of what you do know onto the paper. In a sense, one's grade is already set once the test begins. It is counterproductive to worry since anxiety interferes with memory.
11. Do not obsess over a question that is too difficult to solve. Move on and return later. As with some fact on the tip of the tongue, when attention is diverted the answer often comes.
12. Write whatever you know on a test. Every point counts. If you are taking a beating, minimize the blood loss. Don't give up on a test. If you must guess, eliminate the impossible answers. Most importantly: use the entire allotted time for a test. If you are stumped, the final ten, twenty, or thirty minutes of the test may give up a few more points. If you are finished early, check your work. Did you fill in the scantron accurately? Be careful about changing your answer unless you are quite sure that the first one was wrong.
13. Ask questions. Looking ignorant is not nearly so disagreeable as being ignorant. Express your opinions with reasoned argument and evidence.
14. Eat, sleep, recreate, but everything in moderation. The brain is a physical organ. If it is not properly cared for, it will not perform at its peak potential.
15. Do not settle for what is easy or close at hand. Success requires both vision and an unwillingness to accept failure.