Someone once said "80% of success is just showing up." When it comes to making decent grades in class, there's something to that.

Do you ever feel there is no way you're going to be able to keep up with all of your reading, assignments, and projects, while you keep your job, maybe have a social life, sleep on occasion, and keep your sanity? Well, there is a secret for staying on top of your studies, and it doesn't take a whole lot of work on your part.

What has helped build my reputation as "America's College to Career Success Coach" is that I can help college students be successful in school and still have time for a life. Sure, your college degree, well-used could be worth millions to you. But, you're not going to stick with it until the big "walk across the stage" if you're killing yourself with lousy study habits. After all, if you get burned out, you might flunk out or bail out of school. Neither is necessary if you just know some secrets all successful college students know.

This college success secret has to do with "being there" and I picked it up from cadets I taught at the Air Force Academy, in Colorado Springs, CO. USAFA ranks as one of the most academically tough schools in the US, and falling behind is not an option, so cadets use every strategy they can to stay on top of academics.

Don't be fooled by the fact that this tip is so simple to use. It works like a charm, will help you learn faster with less effort, and give you the freedom to have more time for other fun things you enjoy doing.

When you go to class, be there. I know, you're there physically, but is your mind wandering off to some place more oh, let's say, interesting? Well, my friend, nothing puts you more in the position of wasting your own time than going to class and staying deep in zone-out land the whole time. If you're not going to actively listen, you might as well not go.

Ok, the face time with the professor seeing you in your seat counts, and showing up is so important, I address going to class in the very first chapter of my book "College Success Your Way: What Your Professors Won't Tell You and Your Friends Don't Know." Do you feel a "however" coming? Well, you're right.

Showing up is important; however, if you go and sit there like the lead character in "Night of the Living Zombies" trust me, the professor will pick up on your living dead look and not like it. And, as you've already know, if you aren't tuned in, you're wasting your time. And we smart people are so NOT into wasting our time, right?

So, what's the solution? How are you to use this tip to "be there" in a way that helps you study less for good grades, actually engages you in the class, (which might keep your interest, which helps time fly) and oh yes, makes you look good in your professor's eyes? Here you go, to "be there" practice active listening. And to practice "active listening" here are some strategies:

1. Read the assignment before you come to class, even if you speed read it. This will help you recognize when the points in the book are also in the lecture. Successful students know: that's a sign that the material is doubly important! (And by 'doubly important' I mean, of course, test-worthy.)

2. If you like, write with colored pencils. Colors engage the brain more and make the material stand out and easier to recall.

3. Begin asking yourself questions as you take a few notes on the main ideas the professor imparts. An example of a great question to ask yourself is this: If I were making a test that covered today's lesson, which questions would I ask? Keep asking yourself questions and challenging yourself to find smart answers.

Active listening, and "being there" will help you:

1. Be more interested in the class

2. Remember more, so you can study less

3. Look good to the professor, a great way to build "social capital"

And that, my friends, is will help you not only survive in college but thrive!