In this blog post, I’m going to discuss academic tips for college students.
Before I jump into these tips, I want to be real with you — I wasn’t always strong in academics growing up. It wasn’t until I got to community college that things started to shift for me. That’s when I decided I wanted to transfer to a prestigious school, and for the first time ever, I earned a 4.0 GPA during my first fall semester.
From there, the momentum continued. I transferred to UCLA and graduated cum laude — something I never thought I’d achieve.
Looking back, I don’t think it’s because I was naturally “smart.” I just figured out what worked for me. I kept showing up. I kept trying, even after taking plenty of L’s along the way (and trust me, there were a lot).
So if you’re feeling behind or like you’re not cut out for college — you’re not alone. Let me show you the 5 academic tips that helped me thrive. These are things I wish someone told me sooner, and now I’m passing them on to you.
Academic Tips for College Students #1: Balancing Priorities by Terms
When you first start college, I hope you got the chance to sit down with an academic advisor or counselor and talk through your education plan — what classes you’ll need to graduate and how to spread them out over your terms. If you got a good one, they might’ve even told you which courses are considered “heavy loads” and advised you when to take them.
But let’s be real: not every advisor has the time or energy to give that level of guidance. Sometimes, they’re just trying to knock out your education plan and move to the next student. That’s why you have to take initiative when it comes to planning your schedule.
Spread Out Your Core Classes
Core major classes are often the most intense — lots of reading, writing, group projects, or exams. My advice? Don’t stack them all in one quarter or semester. Space them out when you can.
Also, ask upperclassmen in your major about their experience with certain classes. Just take their advice with a grain of salt — what was hard or easy for them might not be the same for you. You can also check out RateMyProfessors.com to get an idea of how different professors run their classes.
Pro tip: If you can get access to the syllabus, do it. I personally find a syllabus more reliable than word-of-mouth when it comes to workload. Especially at big schools like UCLA, where your TA is usually the one grading, the class experience can really depend on who you get — and that’s kind of a lottery.
Watch Out for Class Sequences and Graduation Timing
When planning your schedule, don’t just think about workload — think about timing. Some classes are part of a sequence (like Stats I → Stats II or Chem A → Chem B), and they’re only offered during certain terms.
If you’re not careful, you might miss a required class during your final year because it’s only offered every fall — and that could delay your graduation.
Before each academic year, take a few minutes to:
- Check when classes are offered (fall-only, spring-only, etc.
- Make sure you’ve completed the prerequisites before it’s too late
- Talk to your advisor if you’re planning to graduate early or need flexibility
Pro tip: If you know you’re graduating in spring, double-check that you’re not pushing a fall-only class into your final term. That’s a very preventable mistake.
Take Advantage of Summer Classes
Summer classes can be a game-changer. They let you:
- Focus on just one difficult class without distractions
- Knock out easy GE classes
- Lighten your load for fall or spring
If you’re still finishing lower-division classes, check out community college options for summer — they’re usually more affordable, and as long as the credits transfer, you’re good. (Always double-check with your academic advisor)
Know Your Priorities
Every term is different. Maybe one term you’re working a job, doing a club, or prepping for grad school apps. Whatever it is, be honest about your commitments.
Example: If you’re working over the summer but still want to take a class, go for a GE or lighter elective, not a core major class. Give yourself flexibility — don’t set yourself up for burnout.
Be Smart with Your Weekly Schedule
It’s tempting to stack all your classes on two days a week and have long weekends. But here’s the catch: if you only go to campus twice a week and have all your classes back-to-back, you’re more likely to have multiple assignments, quizzes, or even finals on the same day.
I had a friend who once had three finals in one day. Even if the classes are “easy,” that’s not the kind of stress you want. Trust me.
A lot of students try to stack their classes back-to-back to minimize the days they’re on campus — and I get it. But here’s what usually happens: by your second or third class, you’re mentally checked out. Sitting through 3+ hours of lecture with no break is exhausting, especially if the classes are dense or discussion-heavy.
Even if attendance isn’t mandatory, skipping “just one class” turns into two… then three, and before you know it, you’re weeks behind. That slippery slope is real.
Academic Tips for College Students #2: Doing Extra Credit First
At the beginning of every term, one of the first things I do is check the syllabus for extra credit opportunities. Not every class offers them, but honestly, a good number of my undergrad courses did — and I always made a point to do them early.
Even if the class seemed easy, I never skipped extra credit. A lot of the time, those assignments were straightforward and didn’t require you to wait until a certain topic was covered. That meant I could usually knock them out right away — sometimes even in the first two weeks of class.
Here’s the thing: extra credit probably won’t save your grade if you bomb an exam or miss a major assignment, but it can give you the extra boost to round out a borderline A or B. And when you’re trying to maintain your GPA, every point counts.
What I learned is that by the time you actually need the extra credit — you’re already deep in midterm season, drowning in assignments from other classes, and running on caffeine and vibes.
So instead of waiting until you’re in panic mode, just get it over with at the beginning of the term, when the workload is still light and you have more flexibility. It’s one of those small habits that adds up in the long run.
Academic Tips for College Students #3: Going to Office Hours
Going to office hours is hands down one of the best ways to get to know your professor — especially if you attend a public university where lectures often have 100+ students. It might feel intimidating at first, but trust me: showing up can make a big difference.
No, you don’t need to go to every single office hour. But I do recommend picking one professor per term that you’re genuinely curious about — someone whose work interests you or who teaches a subject you want to explore more deeply. Most professors do more than just lecture. Some are conducting research, writing books, or working with organizations that align with their academic field.
At UCLA, I had a professor who worked for the Lakers — no joke. She lived in Los Angeles only during the school year and returned to her home state during breaks. That kind of insight? You won’t hear it in a lecture.
Sure, going to office hours can help your professor put a face to your name (which can lead to letters of recommendation down the line), but that’s not the only reason to go. The real value is in learning the things you won’t find on the lecture slides — their personal path, real-world advice, and how they navigated their careers.
As a first-generation college student, I didn’t grow up surrounded by professionals in academia or industry. But through office hours, I connected with professors who gave me guidance I didn’t know I needed. One of my professors was also first-gen and gave me incredible advice about using my sociology degree and applying to grad school. I’ve also met classified staff and faculty who shared their experiences and helped me better understand my own path.
You don’t need a question about class to show up — just curiosity and the willingness to listen. Sometimes the best thing you’ll learn in college isn’t in the classroom.
Academic Tips for College Students #4: Using the Tutoring Resources on Campus
Let me start by saying this: going to tutoring is not embarrassing. What is embarrassing? Struggling through a class in silence when there are free resources literally designed to help you succeed.
There is zero shame in getting help — even if it’s in a class for your major. I’ve done it myself. I used tutoring services from community college all the way through my final quarter at UCLA. Yup, I was that student who regularly showed up to the writing center — not because I was failing, but because I wanted to turn in the best work possible.
As a sociology major, most of my classes were essay-based. But tutoring wasn’t just about grammar or formatting — I actually got better at writing over time thanks to the feedback I received. That growth showed up in my confidence and my grades.
From small colleges to large public universities, these resources exist for a reason — and they’re almost always free. Use them.
Pro Tip: Go Early
If you want to get the most out of tutoring, go as soon as the material starts getting hard. Don’t wait until you’re drowning — the longer you wait, the harder it gets to catch up.
And while yes, studying with friends can help, it’s often more distracting than productive — especially when you’re all juggling different schedules. Personally, I found it way more efficient to just go to tutoring solo, stay focused, and get my work done on my time.
Academic Tips for College Students #5: Planning Out Assignments and Exams
I would take a monthly calendar and write down every single assignment due, separated by class — with each class color-coded, of course. I didn’t just list the due dates; I’d also include what time the assignment was due, because not all professors use that standard 11:59 PM deadline. Some are sneaky and set things to close at 6 PM or even noon — and if you’re not paying attention, that’s how points get lost.
If your school uses Canvas, it can help by showing upcoming deadlines. But keep in mind:
- It usually only shows assignments submitted online
- It might miss in-class exams or participation-based stuff
So while Canvas can be helpful, I always preferred using my own planner tools — especially because I liked having everything in one place, with custom colors, clear layout, and space to adjust as needed.
Want a tool like this? I got you.
This exact planning method is why I created my Assignment & Exam Tracker — available in my digital store as part of the academic bundle. It’s designed for students on quarter or semester systems, with space to plug in all your deadlines, break down tasks, and actually see your term mapped out in one place.
Heads up: this is my own product! I made it because this method worked for me—and if you think it’ll help, feel free to check it out.
Work Smarter, Not Harder
These are the academic tips that helped me survive college—and honestly, they made a big difference. Of course, what worked for me might not work for everyone, and that’s okay! These tips lean more toward being strategic and organized rather than overly studious, because I’ve always believed that working smart is the key to making college (and life) a little easier.
I hope at least one of these tips makes your academic journey smoother. Good luck—and remember, you don’t have to be perfect to succeed.