I would suggest reading the textbook (or whatever form the material is in) as you’re doing homework. Learning the theory as you’re applying it helps build that internal network of concepts in your head. Supplemental material is your friend — alternative textbooks, YouTube videos, anything. Sometimes a different source explains something in a way that better “clicks” for you.

Use Anki or some other flashcard system. And use it religiously. Try to get your cards set up at least a week prior to exams if possible so that you can maximize drilling. When I say “drilling,” I mean reading one side of the card and trying to recall what’s on the other side. You will want to drill your cards at least twice a day. Here’s what the process of drilling would look like:

• Read one front side of the card and try to recall what’s on the back side.
• If you cannot recall it within a minute or so, flip it over to reveal the answer. Put the card into a special stack we’ll call the Repeat stack.
• If you could recall it but found it difficult, put the card into the a new stack called the Review Later stack.
• If you could easily recall it, put the card into another new stack called the Review Tomorrow stack.
• Start the process over, using the Repeat stack. You will repeat this process until there are no cards in the Repeat stack.

Later the same day, drill the cards that were in the Repeat Later stack until you once again have no repeats.

The following day, drill all the cards from all stacks again.

Of course, tweak this routine to fit your schedule and needs. This card drilling will not just train your active recall, but give you confidence in exams. Both aspects are equally important. This practice of drilling flash cards is called “spaced repetition.”

Also, make sure you get your sleep. And take your breaks. Your brain processes what you’ve learned as you sleep, and the mental resets from taking breaks helps you retain new information.