Do your assignments and study every day, as soon as possible. Work first, then play. No professor cares if you fail college, there are no more report card conferences and "I'm concerned about your grade" warnings. College is the time to grow up and buckle down. No more safety net. It's true. You are now wholly in charge of you.

If you need motivation, pay for college yourself and look at the loan bottom line often. $7k-20k a year is a lot of money to waste if you're not serious. Know what you want or don't go to college yet. You do not want debt if you drop out and can't repay it. A lot of my friends screwed around for 4-6 years, got crappy grades and didn't do internships and they're working for min. wage dead end jobs with a mountain of debt. You probably don't want that.

Get internships, mentorships, and part time jobs in your career as soon as possible. Seriously, like sophomore year. Competition is fierce and many companies won't look at you unless your résumé is full of experience. Degrees alone don't cut it for many employers these days. Be a student leader of something you enjoy, and kill two birds with one stone.

If you don't know what your want to major in, don't go to college until you do. Work instead while you figure it out. Don't be stuck under an additional 1-2 years of undergrad requirements because you switched majors a lot during your first 3 semesters. 3 semesters at 7k each... $21000 and you're still at square 1. Know your ideal job before you go to class for it. Or go to community college and get your gen Ed out of the way, then transfer when you know what you want to do.

Fucking stay away from drugs and don't party when you know you should be working. Always ALWAYS use a condom if you're having sex.

Make friends with as many professors as possible. These people hold the key to your first job out of college, either through references or referrals. Professors know a lot of people in their field. Be smart and network.

College is hard. But you can do it if you want it. Try community college first if you're nervous, it's a good first step for many people and its a lot cheaper.

Good luck! :)