Good move! The ONLY way to make it though school and get anything out of it is when you do it for yourself. It's just too much to take on if you're doing it for somebody else, and most people do it for their parents up to a point. Case in point: 2nd year of college when I was there only for them - 1.27 GPA and immediately on probation with a hangover. When I actually wanted to be there and was paying my own way though - cummulative GPA at graduation 3.85.
Whatever left you not caring before, it sounds like you want to make an improvement for yourself = Gauranteed success! Make sure you pick something you have a passion for, and it will really pay off.