Faculty have important things to say which I paid to hear. Second, read the text. Like most first-year students, a few of my textbooks were in pristine condition when I sold them back to the bookstore. When I did start reading the texts, I found that the assigned readings were not only interesting and informative, but made the class easier. Third, apply what you learn.
Memorization is inadequate.
I learned that I'm not as smart as I thought I was. I finished high school at the top of my class and was admitted to Southwestern with a valedictorian scholarship. I quickly learned, however, that the professors were much smarter. Mercifully, none flaunted this fact or intentionally made me feel ignorant. I learned that many of my fellow students were also smart, and many had academic scholarships too.