How should I go about trying to improve my writing?

Write, write, write every day. (Consider blogging.)

Read! Read good literature. Read so-so literature that’s well-written. Do NOT read lousy literature. Read everything else you can get your hands on. Read until you don’t think you can STAND it anymore… then read some MORE! : )

Everyone’s advice is to read lots, and write lots, and somehow that will make you a better writer. However, I’ve found that this is a lot like the whole “doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is the definition of insanity”, because you have no real guidance as to what would make each and every piece better. I’ve found that handing my papers over to a friend for proofreading is the best, because they can say not just “these two points contradict” or “it’s peal, not peel” but also “this point should be expanded upon” and “this should be a separate paragraph” and “move this point up in the paper a bit”.

If you want to post or PM me some of your work, I’d be happy to look at it and give you feedback.

You’re in college. Take a writing class.

I believe you need to practice and you need feedback.

I belong to a couple of writing groups. They expect me to submit work to the group and then individuals critique it. Not everyone is good at critiquing, but some people are very helpful. The expectation that I will submit helps me make writing a priority. see I’m writing now!

Belonging to a group also puts you into the mind set of reading other people’s works analytically – which then helps you read your own analytically.

Over time, a group will also be able to point out things you do habitually which may never rise to your level of consciousness otherwise.

I found my groups through Meetup.com. I imagine there are many more writing groups in college towns.

And yes, of course, take a class.

I have found it helpful to read writers whose writing I enjoy. One of my favorites is Louis L’Amour. I read about every book he wrote. Although much of it was written as pulp fiction, other samples of his writing was very well researched, and the imagery is amazing, especially the Sackett series. I can still see his influence in my writing decades later.

Strunk and White.

Writing daily is helpful, and having an expert critique it is a good suggestion. @CaptainHarley‘s emphatic request that you read and avoid lousy literature is probably going to be the most helpful. While I wouldn’t trade a minute of the time I spent in college on English courses, my SO who has been a blue collar worker since his high school graduation, is more well-read than I, and can write brilliantly with a few grammatical corrections.

Writing a lot and reading quality works are excellent suggestions (the best well-thought writing I see on a regular basis is “The Nation” magazine).
Add : Read and re-work your own writing multiple times. Most writers don’t just plop out a good piece in one go ( although sci fi writer Harlan Elison was reputed to put out most of his stuff in one pass—sometimes it shows).
Besides giving you a chance to catch simple errors, re-reading your work can sometimes give you new thoughts on the matter and can usually help you reorganize your points into a better flow.