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You’ve finally graduated high school and you’re ready to start preparing for that much anticipated next chapter of your life: the College Years.

As you daydream of what life will be like without the supervision of your parents or a looming curfew, there are certain aspects of college life that will require some discipline and planning in order to succeed.

One thing that many college freshmen underestimate is the amount of studying that goes into the college curriculum. Of course, the amount and difficulty of the work is relative to the major and subjective to the student. However, the effort required to succeed in the college arena can surprise even the most studious and bright scholar.

Don’t let the freedom of college life sideline your aspirations for future success. Use these helpful tips and you’ll be on your way to making the grades:

1. Devote a block of your time everyday to studying. Your professors will recommend two hours of study for every hour of class. Apply that advice at first and adjust it based on the type of material and your ability to understand and retain the information. It’s also helpful to rank your classes by difficulty and prorate your study time, spending the most time on your hardest course.
2. Find a quiet place to study.
3. If possible, study in the daylight hours, as you will likely retain more information then at night when you are tired.