Get Organized Before You Sit Down
Make sure you have the appropriate supplies before you sit down to "study."
Be sure to use all of these when reading. I generally use my colored pens when I am focusing on main ideas and supporting details. "I change colors frequently to keep my brain "awake."
I reserve my highlighters for larger chunks of information that I must retain. Do not use one color only. Do not mark up the majority of the page!
Colored index cards are particularly helpful for vocabulary, spelling and math facts. Pictures can even be drawn on the cards to further enhance the memory process.