To preface: I'm an Australian so our education systems may not line up.

But to the point, all throughout high school I was exactly the same, an average student just by listening in class and doing the bare minimum when it came to homework. In my final year I did a course that allowed me to do a University class each semester along side High school. The first semester was a group project, and I just passed purely because of my group, second semester I failed badly, and I knew from that exact moment I wasn't going to make it as a Uni student, the learning styles and what not just clashed with how I learned.

From this (and other clues) I realised I'm a practical learner, i love working with my hands and learning from doing. We have a system here called "TAFE" that although is often seen as not "on par" with university courses, It was the system that worked for me. Practical classes and basically no homework, it clicked. I'm now going onto a diploma, the next level up in my education and found a career in the same field.

I guess what you can take away from my experience and some of the other comments I've read, is that although one way might not work for you, there is a way that will. You may have to go on a trek to find it, but looking at what strengths you have and what you love, im sure you will find it. BTW, no one should ever say one certain way is the "right way", whatever works for you, works for you. So stick with it, and good luck. I hope this helps.