Great advice on how to succeed in college, from a college professor.  As one myself, I agree wholeheartedly with so much of this. The main piece of advice is this: go to class. Butts in seats matter. 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ann-marie-gardinier-halstead/a-professors-pointers-for_b_5654706.html

Sometimes you might want to appeal (not negotiate: schools dislike this term) your chosen university to offer you a stronger financial aid package. Here's some guidance on when to do it, what circumstances colleges will and won't consider, and how to get success. 

• Simple Tuition: The Financial Aid Appeal
  
• The College Solution: The Inside Guide to College Appeals

You've heard of Rolling Decision. Regular Decision. Early Action. Early Decision. Maybe even Restricted Early Action. But have you heard of Immediate Decision? 

At Longwood University in Virginia, if you submit your materials (application, transcripts, test scores) and then visit campus on a formal weekday tour before August 29, they will tell you at the tour's end if you're accepted. This is huge! No wait! 

For a list of other Immediate Decision schools, check out this partial list.