Pay attention to the course learning objectives

Every course has learning objectives. Dont ignore these objectives. Course objectives are carefully crafted and they are the foundations around which a well designed course is built. Lectures, activities, written assignments, discussion boards, and tests in fact, everything in a course flow from the objectives. If you understand the course objectives, you will understand what is expected of you in all aspects of the class and will understand the criteria upon which your grades will be based.