1. Have a good space to study. You need a desk or a table with a lot of space. You also need good lighting, so that you're able to see what you need to be studying. This place should be somewhere quiet, where you can study without being distracted by the TV or other family members.
2. Know what your learning style is. If you're a visual learner, you might need to highlight your notes. If you're a verbal learner, you may need to make a song out of your notes. If you're a kinesthetic learner, you might need to act out your notes. Your learning style is a big part of studying success, because if you're not studying in a way that complements your learning style, the information won't sink in very well.
Make some flash cards if they will help you learn.
3. Take breaks. Study for 20 minutes at a time, and then take a 10 minute break so that the information sinks in. This is a tried and true learning method. When you're feeling overwhelmed, take a break, let the stuff you just learned sink in, and come back to it. Repetition is the key to studying well.
4. Test your knowledge. After you think you've learned everything you need to know, have a friend/family member quiz you on it, or make up a quiz for yourself, then hide your notes and fill it out. Take back your notes and correct your little quiz and see how you did. Did you get all the answers right, or do you need to study some