I will tell you the key to educational success: get the syllabus, study the topic before class including the homework if you can, use class to check your knowledge, after class review anything you found out in class you need to review. Use office hours to reinforce anything you’re struggling with.

It may not work perfectly for everyone, but if it can get an idiot like me into every top ranked program in the world I’ve ever wanted to attend, it can probably do a little for you.