Dear WovenGalaxy,
I think it is so great that you are taking on this exciting and promising challenge. Bravo!
I can't speak for others, but what helped me to be a good student was a deep love of the subject matter I was studying. In addition to the required reading I actively sought out as much information as I could. It was easy for me to memorize information in a subject I loved. This wasn't a odious task or chore for me since I was driven internally by a love of learning. This is what helped me most. Hopefully others here will share their experiences. I hope you find what helps you the best.
Sincerely yours, Yao Wen