The secret to getting through college isn't so much brainpower as willpower and time management. E. Glenn Griffin, professor emeritus of English at Purdue University, lists ten common mistakes made by college students. He encourages students to view their college years as an investment. "And it's important to protect that investment of both time and money," he remarks.

MISTAKE NO. 1: ALWAYS BEING A NICE GUY. "When your roommate pops in and asks you to go see a movie, and you are studying according to schedule, you've got to be able to say, Tomorrow -- maybe."'

MISTAKE NO. 2: CRAMMING. "So many students save it all up for the night before the test. It's a hazardous, illogical approach." Because repetition is the heart of learning, keep up on every class assignment. "There is no substitute for daily preparation."

MISTAKE NO. 3: GOING TO CLASS UNPREPARED. "If you haven't read and reviewed the material, you won't be able to appreciate the lecture. Instead of integrating the lecture material with what you already know, you'll just be trying to keep up." Get acquainted with the material to be discussed before going to class.

MISTAKE NO. 4: READING CHAPTERS COLD. "Before reading a chapter, survey it. Take five minutes to get the basic ideas, to have questions in mind as you begin to read." This technique ensures that the student becomes involved.

MISTAKE NO. 5: MISSUSING DAYTIME STUDY OPPORTUNITIES. "If you have an hour between classes, use it. That's one less hour you'll have to spend at night." Scattered study is often better than concentrated study. "The more times you play with something, the better you'll remember it."

MISTAKE NO. 6: FAILING TO GET HELP QUICKLY. If you're having problems understanding a subject, go for help immediately. "Too often we hesitate to ask for help because we don't want to appear ignorant. That's nonsense -- the sooner you go for help, the better."

MISTAKE NO. 7: Understanding THE IMPORTANCE OF LISTENING. "Students often allow themselves to become distracted -- either by the idiosyncrasies of the instructor or by somebody's purple tie. This cuts your listening efficiency and college is forty percent listening."

MISTAKE NO. 8: FAILING TO REVIEW OR EVEN REWRITE AND ORGANIZE LECTURE NOTES AFTER CLASS. "Take advantage of your thought power when the material is fresh in your mind."

MISTAKE NO. 9: UNDERSCORING PASSAGES INDISCRIMINATELY. "A common mistake is to underscore as you go along; never underline until after you're read the chapter and have the big picture. Then go back and underscore, selectively.

MISTAKE NO. 10: NEGLECTING TO REVIEW. Spend five to ten minutes at day's end reviewing what you've learned and devoting at least an hour to review the prior week's work. This is also a good time to plan the following week's study schedule.

And while you're studying, don't forget to study your professors, too. "The human aspect here is very important. No two professors are alike -- get to know their styles, preferences, and idiosyncrasies, if possible." If, for instance, a professor is a stickler for promptness, it helps to know this before handing in a late paper.