How Can I Stay Ahead in Academics at a Top Undergrad Program?

[accioquote]

Does anyone have advice on how to stay on top of things academically when at an excellent (but not top) undergrad program? How do you remain competent in the face of peers at places like Harvard/Stanford/MIT who are allowed to take far more rigorous classes? Any ideas on what/how to learn (especially CS/Physics/Math) while balancing actual school work?

 

[Jorriss]

Independent studies with professors are a good opportunity to learn material outside of a classroom.

 

[radium]

Read textbooks and papers on your own. This is how I managed to start taking grad classes very early on.