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You may think so, but with only one or two tests per  

College Course

 , you don't have much leeway for messing up, warns Alexandra Smith, a Cornell University (Ithaca, NY) grad and alumni ambassador, who coaches high schoolers on College's academic demands. Plus, exams are tougher at the higher ed' level!

"In high school, you're memorizing information and regurgitating it. In college, you have to memorize, recall, but also apply it in situations not so familiar to you," she says. In other words, forget spitting out psychology definitions you crammed right before an exam -- you'll need to know how to write an essay on how that concept works in a real-life situation.

That doesn't mean you can't earn 'gold star' grades in college, however. Collect Smith's College Class clues:

Before Class
Gear up for each lecture by reading the course syllabus and doing your homework, says Smith. "Then, prepare a list of things you didn't understand in the homework, so you can focus in and ask questions at the next class session," she adds.

During Class
Take good notes and highlight whatever your prof emphasizes in class, since that's what will usually show up on an exam. "And, don't fall into the temptation of missing lectures just because it may go unnoticed," Smith cautions.

After Class
"There's nothing worse than having two weeks before an exam and just cracking the seal on your textbook for the first time. There are mass amounts of reading in college," says Smith. Instead, review on a daily basis, find a friend to swap notes and study with (in case either of you missed anything), and take advantage of any optional review periods offered.


http://www.collegesurfing.com/blog
Dawn Papandrea is the Managing Editor of The CollegeBound Network. Learn more about finding a school that's right for you.

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