Keys to Success

Work smarter, not harder. I can't stress how important it is to work your way up to certain things. You don't have to take 18 credit hours if you don't want to. Save your GPA and take advantage of summer and winter courses. Or, if you can, break up your credit hours and take 8-week courses. If you can take 1 course during the first 8 weeks and another during the 2nd, it's like you're only taking 15 credit hours!
Gain experience EARLY. It's never too early to start building your resumé. Some students only want to fous on their studies their first semester on campus and that's perfectly fine. But second semester, you should commit to at least one [longterm] RSO and one volunteer activity. Get a part time job if you can - it will really help when applying to jobs and internships in the future. A lot of campus positions require little to no experience, so take advantage of them since you need experience to gain experience.
Make your resume work for you. Your resumé will be a major deciding factor in jobs and internships, scholarships and many other awards, so make sure that it paints an appropriate picture of you. If you already know what particular field or area of study you want your resumé to portray, then get as much experience in that field as possible. Every volunteer experience and unpaid intership is relevant -- so just because you don't see an opportunity on a job board, doesn't mean you can't make one. If you applied for an internship and didn't get it, reach out directly to the internship coordinator or to a similar organization/agency to see if you can intern, volunteer your time or job shadow. It gets your foot in the door and demonstrates your dedication. ALWAYS make provision for yourself, take the initiative and ask for an opportunity. What's the worse thing that can happen? They say no. But, they can also say yes and you'll never hear a "yes" if you don't ask the question! You don't have anything to lose.
Take advantage of every opportunity. Don't ever think you're too good for an opportunity, because you never know what skills you can earn that are missing from your resume or who you may meet in the process. Do your research, tailor the opportunity to your needs and wants and put forth your honest effort. If you still feel the need to pass, be respectful and avoid burning bridges. Let them know that you can't commit at this time, but you'd like to keep in touch and remain considered for future opportunities or the same opportunity at a better time.
Network, network, network! Your NETWORK determines your NEWORTH! Again, your network determines your networth. It's not about what you know, it's not about who you know, it's about who knows you. Who did you leave an impression with? You may be in college now, but you never know where you and your peers may end up. You never know who may end up in a position to help or hurt you, and that's why it's important to connect, stay cordial and figure out how you can help each other. Speak! Fact: everyone is always watching. Fact: people talk. Character is defined by how you carry yourself when you think that no one else is looking, so treat the janitor with the same respect that you treat the C.E.O., because that janitor just may very well be the C.E.O.'s father.
Keep in touch. Don't just meet someone, take their card and never connect with them. Send them a follow-up email, check in once a year, or connect on social media and stay in their radar! Don't be that person that only reaches out when they want something. (They can tell.) It doesn't hurt to engage in small talk or meet for coffee every now and then. If you're not getting a response, keep trying, but try not to reach out more than 7 times in one year.