Smart college students know you don't have to study all the time to make good grades in school. In fact, if you have a good attitude, and follow the unspoken "rules" of class attendance, your chances of making better grades just got even better. Here are four college tips on class attendance to read and heed.

Go early; stay late; stay awake; and always, always go.

As an author of four college guide books including "Time Management for Students 101" and a college success speaker, I have first hand appreciation and respect for how busy college students are and how challenging it can be to manage time well with your many responsibilities. However, remember that the great impression you make on your professor by following these college success tips will make academics much, much easier.

Go early; stay late.

Ok, you don't have to keep sitting in class minutes after it's over. You should, however, come a few minutes early and stay through the entire class. No need to be the last person to leave, just don't create a draft trying to get out the door at the end of class.

How early do you need to come to class? Early enough that you have your textbook and notebook out and your pen poised and ready to go before the professor even opens his mouth.

Why?

Because often, he has either just taught a class or reviewed his notes, and wants to make sure he makes some critical points before they slip his mind. Sometimes, students will be talking to him just before class starts, and maybe they've got the same question they need answered. He will use those first few moment of class to clear up the issue for the entire class.

This is prime time stuff here. Do not miss it.

Also, your prof may wrap up the class making sure he touches on and reviews key concepts one more time before you go. Remember that key concepts are testable material.

Stay awake, my friend.

Let's face it, not all classes will keep you glued to the edge of your seat with unflinching interest. Sometimes either the subject matter isn't your favorite, or you stayed up late last night, or perhaps both.

How in the world are you going to make it through class without doing the head bob ten minutes into it?

First, if you aren't opposed to caffeine, go for it. Bring a monster super ultra big gulp of high-caff soda, or a quad venti to class. Caffeine has helped a great many college students through those challenging times of burning the midnight oil or suffering through interminable classes with mind-numbing subject matter and humorless professors.

Drink up. If you can sneak some snacks without the prof giving you the evil eye, do so. I suggest something with a shock of flavor, like those super sour gummy worms. They will keep your taste buds awake, and one hopes, you with them.

Now that you're awake, and you've chosen to go to class rather than skip (kudos to you, by the way) make sure you're sitting up close (no further than the third row, or you may find yourself too easily distracted) and take notes with colored pencils or markers to keep your mind visually stimulated and increase the memory factor.

Always, always go to class!

What's that you say? You got behind the eight ball and didn't (in spite of your better judgment) read your assignment before going to class, and now you're thinking it's best to just skip class and catch up on your reading during class time?

No, no, dear reader. Skipping class because you aren't prepared is the idea of the novice, and since you have the great foresight to read this book you know that the last thing you want to do is to compound the mistake of not prepping for class with the misinformed choice of also missing the class.

So, go to class, be on time, sit close, listen actively, take notes, and catch up on your reading post haste. And remember our four great college success tips for class attendance: Go early; stay late; stay awake; and always, always go.