Tim Gruber and Jenn Ackerman use both photography and video to tell stories for editorial and commercial clients. 
School is in the second week here at OU and I found this advice from Sam Abell’s dad, Thad, as I was flipping through The Photographic Life. (nice stuff at that link if you haven’t seen the book)
On page 48 of the book Sam writes about having to get a D in linguistics to meet the minimum requirements for graduation. On the following page there’s a copy of a letter his dad sent Sam with some advice.
Here are a few I liked:
Show more than average interest at all times.
Lean forward from the hip line toward Prof.
Scout the opposition.(other students) Be more dynamic than they.
Most Profs will not fail a student whoin their opinion really tried to pass the course.
Consider the course a challenge. Cope with the challenge.
Take notes or pretend to be taking notes.
Ask to sit closer.
Give him a bottle of liquor as a going away gift.
Should we tell Terry to expect a bottle of liquor by the end of our course???? Is this why you sit so close to him?