Developmental Classes
Each step is a building bock. You may think something is trivial or useless. Such as taking that math class that seems unneeded. Give it a shot, you'll probably be surprised that you learn many concepts that you did not know before. These are called the developmental classes. You need to take them when you've been out of school for awhile or when you can not remember the information that is needed to get into the next course. Take these courses, you won't regret it.
Persist
Do everything you can to accomplish your goals. Stay persistent and never stop learning. If your not learning, your not living, and therefore your dying.
Unless your having fun, then your living.