EduGuide asked professors at Michigan's Albion College for the inside scoop on success. When asked the question, "What makes a student successful in your classes?" Professors from a range of academic disciplines offered up wise and helpful advice that every college freshman should read – and follow!

Here, Dr. Karen Erlandson shares the basics: Go to class. Budget your time. Take good notes.

Advice from a Communications Professor

"What would students need to do to succeed in my class? Obvious advice is to keep up with readings and assignments. Students should be sure to budget time across all classes so they are not caught by surprise by anything.

We [professors] provide a syllabus so students can get an idea of how to budget time, not just for our class, but for all of them. A lot of students don't ever look at their syllabus again after the first day.

Getting good study habits and making sure your notes are complete are important. Many people think they are good note takers but are not. Getting help with this skill, if they are not good at it, would be a good idea."

~ Karen Erlandson, Ph.D. (Michigan State University)
Assistant Professor of Communications

Michelle Schira Hagerman is Director of Training at EduGuide.