Academic success may seem to be an outlandish goal, or maybe the possibility just scares you a little. How hard will I have to work to do that? What will it take? Really, all it takes is a little planning and a proactive attitude. You can get everything completed and do great in school if you just follow these five steps

1. Read Your Syllabi

When you receive your syllabi for this semester, read them carefully. Make sure you understand all the requirements for the class. If the class calendar doesn't quite make sense, verify exactly when the assignments are due. Find out what the criteria are that will make up your grade. Knowledge is key to your academic success. It's better to ask your questions now than to learn that a little confusion has caused big problems later.

2. Keep a Detailed Calendar

Once you read through your syllabi, create a comprehensive calendar that includes the assignments for all of your classes. Make sure you differentiate between classes by using a color-coded system or a statement about which assignment goes with which class. You may want to create an electronic calendar as well if most of your time is spent on a computer. These are great because they can actually send you reminders before something is due. This will save you lots of confusion later, and you can see exactly how much you'll need to do each week to stay ahead. Make sure you include class reading on the calendar as well so that you don't forget about it.

3. Start Early

Since you have everything listed on a calendar, there's no reason for you to overlook any assignments or readings. Start early instead of procrastinating; this is the most important thing you can do. There are always going to be emergencies, but if you work ahead, they won't be such a big deal. Plus, when you find that there's something you really want to do, you'll be able to do it since you'll already be ahead on your assignments.

4. Prioritize Your Assignments

When an emergency arises or you just have too much to do, you need to prioritize your assignments. Can you overlook that reading in one class in order to finish the paper for another class. Sometimes we might be tempted to do the reading since it's easier (I'll admit I've done it), but that's the worst thing you can do. Finish the more challenging, more important project first, and then catch up on the rest later.

5. Submit Assignments Early

If your teachers will let you, turn in your assignments early. For returning students this is an especially good idea as you may need a little more help getting on track after being out of school for a long time. If you're writing a lot of papers, you'll get feedback from your first paper earlier than other students, and you'll be able to use that information more effectively when you write your second paper. At the same time, if all your assignments are papers, and you finish them all early, then you can, for all practical purposes, be finished with the class and have your final grade a few weeks before it officially ends. What a relief!

No matter what your plans for academic success, make sure that these five steps are part of your plan. If they are, you are sure to succeed even in the most difficult classes. Remember to be proactive and get things done early, and when an emergency arises, everything will be okay.