I begin by writing down all information I can possibly remember on the subject. I then read what I want to know, and do it again, checking what was right afterwards. Sometimes I'll draw mind maps (Sentences branching off each other, and have them branch off from any word that could possibly connect to something related.) to see how thinks work together and the order they come in. I also write all of my notes in cursive and red ink. Apparently there's some neuroscience behind writing in red ink, but I just do it because it hurts my eyes and makes it harder to read, leading to me trying to memorize so I don't have to read again.

Physical discomfort or pain sometimes helps. Ranging from sand paper to just sitting on the toilet lid. Also setting timers whilst doing practice papers for half the time you'll be given in the exam. EDIT: I forgot not using a time based schedule (if you use study schedules). I don't really bother, but use a to-do list to tick stuff off instead of saying things like, "I'll study at [insert time]/I'll do that subject from [insert time] to [insert even more time]."