Treat it like a job.
I'm not sure if you have part time work to interfere with it being done that way, so if you do, you'll obviously have to modify my suggestion. But basically set aside the time from 8 until 4 (or whatever your school day runs as) as school=job. Take a lunch break and meet with friends at that point. But the other 7 hours are for classes and assignments, papers, reviewing notes.
That way your evenings are free for work, partying (you have to go to class in the morning), hobbies, video games or whatever. You'll find that you've actually done what needed to be done during the day and there ain't nuttin' better dan goofing off guilt free. Yes, you'll have times around exams or when major papers or assingments are due that you'll lose some freedom but you'll be better prepared anyway.
I always made study notes for the exam cram. I found the best way to do this was immediately after class. That way I could remember what the prof emphasized and made sure I highlighted it (not literally) and UNDERSTOOD it. If I didn't understand it, I went to the prof within a day or so for clarification. Asking the day before the exam will not win you any favors.
Then when the exam cram came, my notes were ready and it was just review time, no sweat with arm cramps and too much material to cover.
It will depend on how your class schedule is set up, but I liked to have a class-break-class schedule with labs in the afternoon. That way I could hit the notes and get them done before the next class. Still usually had about 20-30 minutes to goof off as well.
Go to class. Seriously, don't rely on other people's notes. Sometimes they're good, sometimes they're ****. If you ask for them too often, they may start screwing with you and giving you wrong information. Nothing pisses a dedicated student off more than some slacker asking for notes all the time and never going to class. The bonus is the prof will recognize you. If you mix that in with asking timely questions from your notes, they'll also recognize you. Depending on the exam type (computer marked versus prof marked) it may win you some leniency if the prof thinks you understand it but didn't clearly explain it on the answer sheet. It's called "benefit of a doubt". Do not be a kiss-ass though, profs can see that too. Ask legitimate questions when you need to, don't make daily visits.
Know your prof and what they want. Sometimes profs are lazy ***** and don't want you to think, they want cookie cutter answers regardless of whether they are right or not. It was well known at our school in biochemistry labs that they wanted the right results, not the results you actually achieved. Ask people who have taken the course before what to expect and what the prof is like. Figure it out from there. I'm not openly advocating cheating by duplicating results but some schools/classes encourage that by their expectations and grading schemes. This is something minor like labs. Don't buy papers online or duplicate them.
Find old exams so you know what kind of questions are asked and what types of answers are expected. My alma mater had a bank of exams in the library - very useful. No answers on them but after looking at 10 years of exams (and DOING them) you'll find yourself remarkably prepared.
Do what you love but be realistic in your expectations. If you want to be an English Lit major, go for it. Don't expect a $70,000 job at the end of it. If you're in it for enjoyment, no matter what you do you'll be pleased. If you're in it for a job, get in a field you like but something that has employment opportunities at the end of it. Humanities and Social Sciences are limited. Think about a trade or community type college as well, depending on what your end goal is.
Any job you get in the future will suck at some point. All jobs suck to some degree. If you're going to be unhappy you might as well be well paid.
I've been on all ends of the spectrum: drunken lout to graduate student to instructor. Trust me, having a great time and partying all the time while skipping classes is a huge blast. But it comes at a cost. I managed to scrape out my first degree (of three) by sheer blind, dumb, drunk luck. I then took two years off and came back as a serious student and I have to say, it was a lot easier and very nearly as much fun. My advice stems from what I did for the second degree, not the first.
