My dad gave me this piece of advice before I left for college: “Treat it like a job. Work 9 to 5, going to classes, then studying in a quiet spot in the library. Nothing to do? Work ahead on papers and assignments.” I did as he directed from the first day after orientation. I never pulled an all-nighter writing a paper or studying for exams. I never missed a class. College wasn’t a stressful experience for me, despite being in a competitive major. I graduated with a 3.83.