Break big goals like that down into small, achievable goals (such as “will draft 3 pages of history paper today”) and focus on them. Intrinsic interest in the subject of study is also important: earning a 4.0 is already like climbing a mountain; if you’re not interested, it’s like climbing a mountain when you’d rather be sailing. Keep in mind, too, that there are many other avenues to success (and other kinds of success) to be had in college: making and keeping long-term friends, for instance, who can help support you throughout the long, successful life in store for you.