This is an opportunity to obtain a professional piece of work for your portfolio. This is something that you should be thinking about and planning from the first day of class. These rules apply no matter if you want to succeed in the classroom, in the boardroom, on the playing field, on stage, in the studio, or any other place Show up. Get help before you really need it. Willingly help others.
Curiosity always beats intelligence.
The problem isn't the problem. How you handle the problem that's the problem. Don't even think of quitting. Attendance is taken each class and lab period. Three tardies are the same as being absent.