In almost every academic discipline there seems to be an intense desire to uncover a single, underlying factor that explains how or why things happen or work. Physicists have their hypothetical “theory of everything,” historians cite specific events or people, and economists point to precise occurrences to explicate what caused a surplus, downturn, or outright recession.

Though I try to avoid such lofty claims when I write, I love to read other peoples’ “theories of everything,” regardless of whether they’re crackpot, brilliant, or an eerie combination of the two. So, in order to help all of those college students stressing over term papers and cramming for cumulative finals, I think it’s time for a call-to-action.

To all of you sages of the schoolyard and deans of the dormitory (or in the case of online learners–kings and queens of the computer screen), we need one piece of advice, the one you wish you had heard while dealing with the numerous rigors of college life. In essence, we need your Key to College Success. In case you need a little assistance from a fellow fellow, let me give you a few examples:

1. Take notes when you read. So many people say they read the material, but then forget everything when test time comes around.

2. Show up! Skipping class might sound fun, but I know professors who make it a point to fill midterms and finals with material they introduced to the class on days when attendance was “light.”

3. Join a study group. OK, I never did this in college, but I know people who swear by it.

4. Know your limits. If you have to place your alarm clock across the room to stop yourself from hitting the snooze button, don’t take a class before 10 o’clock. I did it once, and never did it again.

These might not be the most illuminating insights, but they helped me weather the storm a few short years ago. If you have something more enlightening than what I provided above, let’s hear it.