3. PUT ASIDE HOURS IN THE DAY TO PREPARE.
If you set aside the hours in the day you are going to prepare, and let everyone else know what these are, you can make sure you are not disturbed. You can then get into a 'preparation pattern' - where your mind expects to be preparing and is therefore more receptive to the material.
4. TRY NOT TO PREPARE FOR MORE THAN TWO SUBJECTS A DAY.
Don't feel that you need to prepare for a whole topic in one sitting. As well as keeping a fresh head, going back the next day to finish revising the topic will renew your knowledge and hopefully help you retain the information for longer.
5. EAT PROPERLY.
While you are using up energy revising it is important to eat properly so that your body and your mind are fit and ready for the exams. Fish, eggs and milk are high in protein, which is used by your brain. But you will need energy as well. Nuts and bananas will good sources for this (chocolate is another good source of energy, but the effects of eating a bar of chocolate last far less than eating, for instance, a banana).
6. TAKE LOTS OF BREAKS.
Your mind will only be able to concentrate well for short periods of time - the first 15 minutes of preparation are thought to be the best. Make sure you stop for a few minutes every 30 minutes or so. During your break, a good thing to do is to sit back for a few minutes, close your eyes, relax, and just think about the things you have just learned.
7. USE DIAGRAMS/VISUALS.
Visual stimulus is very important when trying to stay focused on your study, as some of us are visual learners and help retain more information this way. Colorful pictures and writing will help you stay motivated to learn and also keep the material in your head, longer.
8. TEST YOURSELF.
Or, get someone else to! Ask them if they can check through your notes and ask you some questions. If you can't answer any of their selection, note the topic down so you can re-learn it after.