Vigilance (a.k.a. attentiveness)
To begin with, you should carefully study your teachers. Perhaps the phrase: "He who owns information owns the world" is appropriate here. It is very useful to know the habits and weaknesses of your professors. It is also good to get information about your fellow students (you will study with them for more than one year), as well as about the course one year older (believe me, they know a lot of interesting things). As the saying goes: "He who is warned is armed." Pay special attention to your dean's office. There are important people with whom you will have to solve many educational issues.

Laziness
Unfortunately, the majority of young people get "high" from the freedom given to them, and start to get totally lazy. Dear students! This is the wrong tactic! Yes, no one will scold or punish you for your omissions. Just before the session, you will suddenly see yourself on the lists for deductions. The easiest way to fight laziness consists of two laws. The first is "Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today." It is simple and effective. The second law says: "If you do not praise yourself, no one will praise you." Set small goals and encourage yourself. Made an abstract - excellent. You can go for a walk / play on the computer / buy something tasty, etc.

 Curiosity
Every teacher is pleased when a student is interested in his subject. Asks questions, asks for additional literature. For this, figuratively speaking, you get "pluses". The teacher will mark you and most likely encourage you. The minimum that needs to be done is to sit in pairs, not with an absent and tortured face, but to portray lively curiosity. Look at the teacher, nod to the beat of his text, make notes in a notebook. Against the background of other classmates, you will look like a diligent student.

Independence
At school, the class teacher ran after you, persuaded you to study, and asked the teachers to give you a good grade. Unfortunately, there is no such thing at the institute. Want to learn - learn, want to learn additional information - go and search. You will have to learn to organize your own time. Distribute forces and learn to set priorities. The second law of combating laziness can be offered to help independence. Over time, the effect of Pavlov's dogs will occur - you will train yourself to be responsible, and this will become a feature of your character (that is, the incentives themselves will no longer be needed).

Rest
The institute is a strength test. For those who want to seriously study in it, this is one continuous stressful situation. Therefore, train yourself in advance not to react sharply to the problems that arise. Learn calming mantras, sign up for yoga, or just try to disconnect from reality at such moments and think about something positive.

Persistence
At the institute, you must help yourself persistently and independently. You yourself will have to run after the teacher, persuade him to check your work (if you did not hand it in on time), or arrange for consultations. Some may react to this somewhat aggressively, but do not give up. The main thing is to unobtrusively, but persistently, "follow the teacher" and make sure that he does not forget about you.

Useful acquaintances
Nowadays, it is impossible to do without them. It is always good to have "your" person in the place where you study / work / rest. In controversial situations, she will tell you how to do the right thing, point to the right person, or try to help herself.