Success depends largely on regular contact with the material. By the same token, do not miss class. Your presence is indispensable and part of your grade will be based on attendance. Make a constant effort to assimilate the material you have just learned. This is not quite the same thing as memorization.
Students also tend to think that their work is complete when they have understood.
This is only one-half of the process. Many students fail to perform well on exams because they mistakenly believe they know the material when they merely understand it. French tutoring is available at the Kreeger Learning Resource Center on the College Avenue campus should you need extra help. Ask your instructor for details.